PURPOSE: This rule regulates the internal affairs of the Department of Insurance regarding gratuities.
- (1) The employees of the Missouri Department of Insurance are prohibited from accepting, directly or indirectly, gifts, trips, travel, meals, gratuities, goods, services or any other thing with benefit or value, or of monetary advantage in compliance with Executive Order 81-2, dated February 10, 1981, and Executive Order 92-04, dated January 31, 1992 (see 20 CSR 10-3.900), which would result in a personal benefit to the employee or have the appearance of improperly influencing the performance of official duties.
- (2) If a gratuity is offered, employees should graciously refuse and explain that they are prohibited by rule from accepting those gratuities. Exceptions to the overall policy are— out-of-pocket expenses for meals, transportation or housing provided by an organization and given in connection with a speaking engagement or appearance at a convention, conference or association meeting. Additional exceptions would be inexpensive items such as pens, pencils, or other tokens of appreciation for speaking appearances, which could not be refused without undue rudeness to the sponsoring organization.
- (3) All employees of the Department of Insurance are subject to the appropriate criminal state and federal statutes related to conflict of interest, bribery and similar offenses. For further clarification, see section 105.450, 105.452 and 105.454, RSMo.
AUTHORITY: section 374.045.1(1), RSMo (1994).* Original rule filed Jan. 8, 1992, effective May 14, 1992. Amended: Filed Oct. 25, 1996, effective May 30, 1997.
*Original authority 1967, amended 1993, 1995.