(a) The regents are urged to offer, on at least a semiannual basis, to each of the university’s filers, an orientation course on the relevant ethics statutes and regulations that govern the official conduct of university officials.

(b) As used in this section, “filer” means each member, officer, or designated employee of the University of California, including a regent, who, because of his or her affiliation with the university or any subdivision or campus thereof, is required to file a statement of economic interests in accordance with Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 87100) of Title 9 of the Government Code.

(c) The regents shall maintain records indicating the specific attendees, each attendee’s job title, and dates of their attendance for each orientation course offered pursuant to this section. These records shall be maintained for a period of at least five years after each course is offered. These records shall be public records subject to inspection and copying in accordance with § 81008 of the Government Code and any other public records disclosure laws that are applicable to the university.

(d) Except as provided in subdivision (e), each filer shall attend the orientation course established pursuant to subdivision (a) in accordance with both of the following:

(1) For a person who, as of January 1, 2005, is a filer, as defined in subdivision (b), not later than December 31, 2005, and thereafter, at least once during each consecutive period of two calendar years commencing on January 1, 2007.

(2) For a person who becomes a filer, as defined in subdivision (b), after January 1, 2005, within six months after he or she becomes a filer, and at least once during each consecutive period of two calendar years commencing on January 1 of the first odd-numbered year thereafter.

(e) The requirements of subdivision (d) do not apply to a filer, as defined in subdivision (b), who has taken an ethics orientation course through another state agency or the Legislature within the periods set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (d) if, in the determination of the regents, that course covered substantially the same material as the course the university would offer to the filer pursuant to this section.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 303, Sec. 138. (AB 731) Effective January 1, 2016.)