§ 1 Definitions
§ 2 Lodge system
§ 3 Representative government; elections; meetings; record
§ 4 Limitation of membership
§ 5 Exemption from certain laws
§ 6 Formation of corporation; purposes; association agreement
§ 7 First meeting; notice; adoption of by-laws; filing of certificate
§ 8 Lodge plan; preliminary license; solicitation of members; collection of payments; minimum membership; issuance of certificate
§ 9 Certificate of organization; certificate endorsed by commissioner; filing; certification by state secretary; evidence of corporate existence
§ 10 Certificate of commissioner; time limitation; certificate of incorporation; cessation of business operations
§ 11 Limited societies; change of location of business; change of purpose of corporation
§ 12 Mergers; transfers; notice; contracts, financial statements and certificates; commissioner’s approval
§ 13 Death funds; emergency funds; disability funds
§ 13A By-laws; creation of independent hospitalization and medical services fund
§ 14 By-laws; payments by members; provisions; purpose of payments; proportion of payments which may be used for expenses
§ 15 Deferred payments; installments of claims; fixed liabilities on happening of contingency
§ 16 Loans to members; accumulating and maintaining tabular reserve required by table of mortality
§ 17 Societies maintaining surplus of assets at required level may waive collection of regular mortuary contributions from members
§ 18 Investment of funds
§ 19 Payment of benefits for disability on account of old age; periodical member contribution for mortuary purposes; restrictions
§ 19A Death benefits payable as annuities
§ 20 Death benefit certificates
§ 21 Death or annuity benefits; beneficiaries designated by members
§ 22 Funeral expenses of insureds
§ 22A Personal representative or family of deceased; freedom of choice in procuring burial supplies and services
§ 23 Payment of death, endowment or annuity benefits upon lives of children less than 18 years of age
§ 24 Death benefit certificates as to children
§ 25 Funds representing benefit contributions for lives of children less than 18 years of age
§ 26 Separation of assets, funds and liabilities
§ 27 Mingling of certain funds
§ 28 Actions by beneficiaries
§ 29 Attachment or taking of benefits to pay debt of member or beneficiary
§ 30 Exemption from attachment or execution
§ 31 Admission of persons to beneficial membership
§ 32 Constitution and by-laws of society; amendments
§ 32A Fraudulent alteration or concealment of records
§ 33 Location of meetings; location of principal office
§ 34 Waiver of constitutional provisions
§ 35 Filing certified copies of amendments to constitution or by-laws with commissioner
§ 36 Examinations of domestic societies by commissioner; confidentiality and privilege; proceedings brought by attorney general against domestic societies
§ 37 Copy of commissioner’s examination reports served on societies
§ 37A Disbursements made by societies; requirements
§ 38 Annual statement of society’s condition and standing
§ 38A Applicability of chapter 176V to a limited society governed by this chapter
§ 38B Applicability of chapter 176W to a limited society governed by this chapter
§ 39 Annual valuation report in addition to annual statement; societies on lodge system
§ 39A Valuation of bonds or other evidence of debt
§ 40 Deficiencies; additional contributions or increased rates of contribution; higher rate class of members
§ 41 Licenses for foreign societies to transact business in commonwealth
§ 42 Foreign societies; service of process
§ 42A Foreign societies; deposit
§ 43 Foreign societies; refusal to issue license; revocation of license
§ 44 Foreign societies; examination by commissioner
§ 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 provi
§ 46 Domestic societies; limited membership; members and ex-members of any social organization; governing provisions
§ 46A Subordinate lodge of society; ritualistic form of work; disability benefits
§ 46B Incorporated domestic society transacting business under Sec. 45 or 46; real estate
§ 46C Society subject to Sec. 45 or 46; payment of benefits
§ 46D Grand or district lodge of secret order or fraternity transacting business under Sec. 45 or 46; benefits
§ 47 Jurisdiction of superior court in equity
§ 47A Contract of insurance or benefit certificate issued in violation of any provision of this chapter
§ 48 False or fraudulent statement or representation by society with reference to application for membership; penalties
§ 49 Unauthorized solicitation; penalties
§ 49A Pensions for society employees; expense fund
§ 50 Violation of chapter provisions; penalty

Terms Used In Massachusetts General Laws > Chapter 176P - Limited Societies

  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • Amendment: A proposal to alter the text of a pending bill or other measure by striking out some of it, by inserting new language, or both. Before an amendment becomes part of the measure, thelegislature must agree to it.
  • Annuity: A periodic (usually annual) payment of a fixed sum of money for either the life of the recipient or for a fixed number of years. A series of payments under a contract from an insurance company, a trust company, or an individual. Annuity payments are made at regular intervals over a period of more than one full year.
  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Assets: (1) The property comprising the estate of a deceased person, or (2) the property in a trust account.
  • Beneficiary: A person who is entitled to receive the benefits or proceeds of a will, trust, insurance policy, retirement plan, annuity, or other contract. Source: OCC
  • Charity: An agency, institution, or organization in existence and operating for the benefit of an indefinite number of persons and conducted for educational, religious, scientific, medical, or other beneficent purposes.
  • Continuance: Putting off of a hearing ot trial until a later time.
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • Deed: The legal instrument used to transfer title in real property from one person to another.
  • Discovery: Lawyers' examination, before trial, of facts and documents in possession of the opponents to help the lawyers prepare for trial.
  • Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Ex officio: Literally, by virtue of one's office.
  • Injunction: An order of the court prohibiting (or compelling) the performance of a specific act to prevent irreparable damage or injury.
  • Interests: includes any form of membership in a domestic or foreign nonprofit corporation. See Massachusetts General Laws ch. 156D sec. 11.01
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Liabilities: The aggregate of all debts and other legal obligations of a particular person or legal entity.
  • Oath: A promise to tell the truth.
  • Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
  • Power of attorney: A written instrument which authorizes one person to act as another's agent or attorney. The power of attorney may be for a definite, specific act, or it may be general in nature. The terms of the written power of attorney may specify when it will expire. If not, the power of attorney usually expires when the person granting it dies. Source: OCC
  • Proxy voting: The practice of allowing a legislator to cast a vote in committee for an absent legislator.
  • Recourse: An arrangement in which a bank retains, in form or in substance, any credit risk directly or indirectly associated with an asset it has sold (in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) that exceeds a pro rata share of the bank's claim on the asset. If a bank has no claim on an asset it has sold, then the retention of any credit risk is recourse. Source: FDIC
  • Remainder: An interest in property that takes effect in the future at a specified time or after the occurrence of some event, such as the death of a life tenant.
  • Service of process: The service of writs or summonses to the appropriate party.
  • Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
  • Testify: Answer questions in court.