Section 15.17 - Conflict of Interest(1) Area board and statewide advisory council members shall comply with all provisions of the state conflict of interest law as mandated under M.G.L. c. 268A.(2) If any matter comes before the board in which any board member or statewide advisory council member (or any member of his or her immediate family) has a financial interest, that member shall immediately inform both the Commissioner and the State Ethics Commission, in writing, of his/her financial interest in the matter. Furthermore, that area board or statewide advisory council member shall not participate in any proceedings or votes of the board which concern the matter in which the member (or any member of his or her immediate family) has a financial interest.(3) No area board or statewide advisory council member shall directly or indirectly advocate to any other member a position which would benefit his or her financial interest or that of any member of his or her immediate family.(4) No member of the statewide advisory council or any area board shall:(a) improperly disclose confidential information acquired in the course of official duties nor use such information to further personal interests;(b) use or attempt to use his or her official position to secure unwarranted privileges or exemptions or give the appearance of any such action;(c) by his or her conduct give reasonable basis for the impression that any person can improperly influence him or her; or(d) pursue a course of conduct which will raise suspicion among the public that he or she is likely to be engaged in acts that are in violation of the trust of the office of a board or council member.(5) Members of any area board or the statewide advisory council shall request an advisory ruling from the State Ethics Commission whenever the Department informs such member in writing that in the judgment of the Department a potential conflict exists.(6) Any violation of the provisions of 110 CMR 15.17 may result in the removal of the member from the area board or statewide advisory council by the Commissioner.