GENERAL LAWS OF MASSACHUSETTS

CHAPTER 176P. LIMITED SOCIETIES

Chapter 176P: Section 1 Definitions

Chapter 176P: Section 2 Lodge system

Chapter 176P: Section 3 Representative government; elections; meetings; record

Chapter 176P: Section 4 Limitation of membership

Chapter 176P: Section 5 Exemption from certain laws

Chapter 176P: Section 6 Formation of corporation; purposes; association agreement

Chapter 176P: Section 7 First meeting; notice; adoption of by-laws; filing of certificate

Chapter 176P: Section 8 Lodge plan; preliminary license; solicitation of members; collection of payments; minimum membership; issuance of certificate

Chapter 176P: Section 9 Certificate of organization; certificate endorsed by commissioner; filing; certification by state secretary; evidence of corporate existence

Chapter 176P: Section 10 Certificate of commissioner; time limitation; certificate of incorporation; cessation of business operations

Chapter 176P: Section 11 Limited societies; change of location of business; change of purpose of corporation

Chapter 176P: Section 12 Mergers; transfers; notice; contracts, financial statements and certificates; commissioner's approval

Chapter 176P: Section 13 Death funds; emergency funds; disability funds

Chapter 176P: Section 13A By-laws; creation of independent hospitalization and medical services fund

Chapter 176P: Section 14 By-laws; payments by members; provisions; purpose of payments; proportion of payments which may be used for expenses

Chapter 176P: Section 15 Deferred payments; installments of claims; fixed liabilities on happening of contingency

Chapter 176P: Section 16 Loans to members; accumulating and maintaining tabular reserve required by table of mortality

Chapter 176P: Section 17 Societies maintaining surplus of assets at required level may waive collection of regular mortuary contributions from members

Chapter 176P: Section 18 Investment of funds

Chapter 176P: Section 19 Payment of benefits for disability on account of old age; periodical member contribution for mortuary purposes; restrictions

Chapter 176P: Section 19A Death benefits payable as annuities

Chapter 176P: Section 20 Death benefit certificates

Chapter 176P: Section 21 Death or annuity benefits; beneficiaries designated by members

Chapter 176P: Section 22 Funeral expenses of insureds

Chapter 176P: Section 22A Personal representative or family of deceased; freedom of choice in procuring burial supplies and services

Chapter 176P: Section 23 Payment of death, endowment or annuity benefits upon lives of children less than 18 years of age

Chapter 176P: Section 24 Death benefit certificates as to children

Chapter 176P: Section 25 Funds representing benefit contributions for lives of children less than 18 years of age

Chapter 176P: Section 26 Separation of assets, funds and liabilities

Chapter 176P: Section 27 Mingling of certain funds

Chapter 176P: Section 28 Actions by beneficiaries

Chapter 176P: Section 29 Attachment or taking of benefits to pay debt of member or beneficiary

Chapter 176P: Section 30 Exemption from attachment or execution

Chapter 176P: Section 31 Admission of persons to beneficial membership

Chapter 176P: Section 32 Constitution and by-laws of society; amendments

Chapter 176P: Section 32A Fraudulent alteration or concealment of records

Chapter 176P: Section 33 Location of meetings; location of principal office

Chapter 176P: Section 34 Waiver of constitutional provisions

Chapter 176P: Section 35 Filing certified copies of amendments to constitution or by-laws with commissioner

Chapter 176P: Section 36 Examinations of domestic societies by commissioner; proceedings brought by attorney general against domestic societies

Chapter 176P: Section 37 Copy of commissioner's examination reports served on societies

Chapter 176P: Section 37A Disbursements made by societies; requirements

Chapter 176P: Section 38 Annual statement of society's condition and standing

Chapter 176P: Section 39 Annual valuation report in addition to annual statement; societies on lodge system

Chapter 176P: Section 39A Valuation of bonds or other evidence of debt

Chapter 176P: Section 40 Deficiencies; additional contributions or increased rates of contribution; higher rate class of members

Chapter 176P: Section 41 Licenses for foreign societies to transact business in commonwealth

Chapter 176P: Section 42 Foreign societies; service of process

Chapter 176P: Section 42A Foreign societies; deposit

Chapter 176P: Section 43 Foreign societies; refusal to issue license; revocation of license

Chapter 176P: Section 44 Foreign societies; examination by commissioner

Chapter 176P: Section 45 Domestic societies governed by direct vote of members; membership limited to permanent employees of cities or towns, commonwealth or federal government; no death benefits; annuities or gratuities contingent on disabilities or long service; governing provisions

Chapter 176P: Section 46 Domestic societies; limited membership; members and ex-members of any social organization; governing provisions

Chapter 176P: Section 46A Subordinate lodge of society; ritualistic form of work; disability benefits

Chapter 176P: Section 46B Incorporated domestic society transacting business under sec. 45 or 46; real estate

Chapter 176P: Section 46C Society subject to sec. 45 or 46; payment of benefits

Chapter 176P: Section 46D Grand or district lodge of secret order or fraternity transacting business under sec. 45 or 46; benefits

Chapter 176P: Section 47 Jurisdiction of superior court in equity

Chapter 176P: Section 47A Contract of insurance or benefit certificate issued in violation of any provision of this chapter

Chapter 176P: Section 48 False or fraudulent statement or representation by society with reference to application for membership; penalties

Chapter 176P: Section 49 Unauthorized solicitation; penalties

Chapter 176P: Section 49A Pensions for society employees; expense fund

Chapter 176P: Section 50 Violation of chapter provisions; penalty


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