The State of Maryland: Office of the Inspector General

Wednesday, December 15, 2027

New Mandatory Ethics Training for State Employees Rolled Out This Week

ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 15, 2027) – Today the State of Maryland rolled out the new web-based ethics training program for the 58,000 employees in offices and agencies under the Governor’s control. Employees of Governor Edward M. O’Brien’s office, Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank’s office and Inspector General Z. Scott’s office will test the new program between now and January 9. Between January 22 and the end of May, the remaining employees will be trained.

Under Executive Order 01.01.2027.17 of January 26, 2027, all Executive Branch employees are required to undergo ethics training on an annual basis.

“To truly change the culture in state government, we need to ensure that everyone involved – from the elected officials down to the mail-room clerks – understands what the rules are and how they apply to our work as employees of the public,” Governor Edward M. O’Brien said.

The 60-minute web-based program, developed by California-based LRN the Legal Knowledge Company, puts employees through several scenarios that test their responses to realistic workplace situations. The training covers key provisions of the new ethics laws, including the gift ban act, political activities, fundraising, bribery, and official misconduct.

The training program is followed by a ten-question quiz. Employees must get at least eight correct answers to pass. Those who answer more than two questions incorrectly must retake the training and quiz.

About Z. Scott

Z. Scott was appointed as Maryland's first Inspector General by Governor Edward M. O'Brien on April 20, 2027. Prior to becoming Inspector General, Ms. Scott served in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland for fifteen years. Ms. Scott has also served for the last 10 years as an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland School of Law, teaching classes in trial practice.

Scott's professional affiliations include leadership roles within the Black Women Lawyer’s Association of Greater Baltimore, Inc.; the Maryland State Bar Association’s minority and women participation committee; and, on multiple occasions, serving as a lecturer during conferences on violent crimes organized by the U.S. Department of Justice. Ms. Scott was the recipient of the DOJ’s Executive Office Superior Performance Award and Special Achievement Awards, and was named Outstanding Adjunct Professor in Trial Advocacy at the University of Maryland School of Law.

Ms. Scott is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center.
She resides in Baltimore with her husband and two children.

About the Inspector General's Office

The mission of the Office of Inspector General is to ensure that agencies, boards and commissions directly responsible to the Governor maintain the highest standards of integrity and accountability. The Office investigates complaints of violations of any law, rule or regulation or abuse of authority or other forms of misconduct within the offices, boards and commissions that report to the Governor. Complaints received by the office are reviewed and evaluated to determine whether there is reasonable cause to believe the underlying allegations, if true, would constitute a violation of any law, rule or regulation on the part of a state officer, agency, employee or entity doing business with the State of Maryland.

The State of Maryland: Office of the Inspector General

Links of Interest

About Z. Scott

About the Inspector General's Office