Frederick County Commissioner John 'Lennie' Thompson wants the state of Maryland to adopt an ethics law forbidding state elected officials from having sexual relationships with state employees who work for them. 

The Frederick County commissioners plan to take up the measure next week, and if approved, the proposal will head to Annapolis where lawmakers could make it illegal for an elected boss to get cozy with an employee. Thompson said a specific situation has brought about the proposal. However, the commissioner declines to elaborate any further.

While Thompson won't elaborate on the current affair, he did cite previous flings among government employees: President Bill Clinton and a certain intern, the governor of New Jersey who got more than protection from his security adviser and former Maryland Governor Parris Glendening who hastily married a staffer before she had a baby.

Thompson further supports the proposed law, saying, "There is no way you can ever be sure that the state employee is being paid for their skill and service to the public or for other reasons."

But some of Thompson's fellow commissioners think he aims to sully the reputation of a potential opponent in an upcoming race for a seat in the general assembly. "It's politically motivated; it's someone taking a cheap shot at one of our local officials," said Frederick County Commissioner Charles Jenkins. "I don't think you can enforce it. I think it will happen anyway."

The proposed law isn't getting much support from fellow commissioners or constituents. Diane Chalfant worked for her husband, Paul, in the private sector before they started dating, and said the proposal is just another example of officials trying to infringe on the people's rights.

If the Maryland General Assembly adopts the law, it would eventually apply to all elected officials in the state.