The National Responsibility Monitor (NRM) has announced the release of a draft legislative framework titled the “Public Trust and Decision Integrity Act.” This initiative follows a recent Level 3 finding regarding Senator Jim Alton’s conduct during his time as County Executive of Westmoreland County. The NRM's assessment found no evidence of illegality or personal financial gain, but highlighted concerns about the appearance of impropriety linked to discretionary authority and family employment benefits. CEO Donna Lowenthal emphasized that the findings indicate a broader structural issue rather than a personal one. “Institutions remain vulnerable when ethical safeguards focus solely on legality and not on perception, proximity, and preventability,” she stated. The proposed legislation aims to address these vulnerabilities by establishing voluntary guidelines for state legislatures to prevent responsibility-risk situations. The draft legislation includes several key provisions. It defines "covered officials" as any elected state or local official, department head, agency director, or chief executive of a county or municipality. It also outlines the responsibilities of these officials regarding post-decision employment disclosures. Specifically, if an immediate family member of a covered official accepts employment from a material beneficiary of a discretionary government action within two years, the official must file a disclosure with the State Ethics Commission. Additionally, the legislation proposes cooling-off safeguards for high-discretion actions. Covered officials would be required to certify that they have advised immediate family members to avoid seeking employment with material beneficiaries for a period of twelve months following final approval of significant government actions. The NRM also introduces an "Appearance of Impropriety Standard," allowing the State Ethics Commission to issue advisory findings when conduct creates a reasonable appearance of preferential treatment, even without evidence of corruption. These findings would not carry criminal penalties but could be used for public reporting and transparency. Lowenthal noted that the framework is not intended to retroactively judge individuals or institutions but aims to translate lessons from high-profile cases into practical measures. “None of these safeguards presume misconduct,” she said, emphasizing the importance of public perception in maintaining trust. The proposed legislation includes a safe harbor provision, stating that no violation will be found if the employment was publicly posted and competitively filled, provided the official had no prior knowledge and timely disclosure was made. The NRM's initiative reflects its broader mission to enhance ethical standards in government and restore public confidence. The legislation is set to take effect 60 days after being signed into law by the Governor, applying to conduct occurring thereafter.