Prohibitions and penalties

# (a)

The following prohibitions apply:

# (1)

A person may not be appointed to, or removed from, or in any way favored or discriminated against with respect to, any county position, or appointive county administrative office, because of race, or color, or national origin, political or religious opinions or affiliations, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis protected under Chapter 7 of Title 19. For purposes of this subsection:

a. “Protective hairstyle” includes braids, locks, and twists.

b. “Race” includes traits historically associated with race, including hair texture and a protective hairstyle.

# (2)

A person may not, wilfully or corruptly, make any false statement, certificate, mark, rating, or report in regard to any test, certification or appointment under the personnel provisions of this chapter, or in any manner commit or attempt to commit any fraud preventing the impartial execution of the personnel provisions or of the rules and regulations made under this chapter.

# (3)

A person who seeks appointment or promotion with respect to any county position or appointive county administrative office may not, directly or indirectly, give, render, or pay any money, service, or other valuable thing to any person for, or in connection with, that person’s test, appointment, proposed appointment, promotion, or proposed promotion.

# (b)

Any person who alone or with others wilfully or corruptly violates this section shall be fined not more than $500, or imprisoned for not more than 1 year, or both. Any person convicted under this section shall be ineligible, for a period of 5 years thereafter, to hold any county office or position and, if that person is an officer or employee of the County, that person shall immediately forfeit that person’s office or position. The Superior Court shall have exclusive original jurisdiction over offenses under this section.