Maine Revised Statutes
Chapter 55: FRATERNAL BENEFIT SOCIETIES
24-A §4126. Injunction -- liquidation -- receivership of domestic society

§4126. Injunction -- liquidation -- receivership of domestic society
1.  When the superintendent upon investigation finds that a domestic society:  
A. Has exceeded its powers;   [PL 1969, c. 132, §1 (NEW).]
B. Has failed to comply with any provision of this chapter;   [PL 1969, c. 132, §1 (NEW).]
C. Is not fulfilling its contracts in good faith;   [PL 1969, c. 132, §1 (NEW).]
D. Has a membership of less than 400 after an existence of 1 year or more; or   [PL 1969, c. 132, §1 (NEW).]
E. Is conducting business fraudulently or in a manner hazardous to its members, creditors, the public or the business;   [PL 1969, c. 132, §1 (NEW).]
the superintendent shall notify the society of such deficiency or deficiencies and state in writing the reasons for the superintendent's dissatisfaction. The superintendent shall at once issue a written notice to the society requiring that the deficiency or deficiencies that exist are corrected. After such notice the society has a 30-day period in which to comply with the superintendent's request for correction, and if the society fails to comply, the superintendent shall notify the society of the superintendent's findings of noncompliance and require the society to show cause on a date named why it should not be enjoined from carrying on any business until the violation complained of has been corrected, or why an action in quo warranto should not be commenced against the society.  
If on such date the society does not present good and sufficient reasons why it should not be so enjoined or why such action should not be commenced, the superintendent may present the facts relating thereto to the Attorney General who shall, if the Attorney General considers the circumstances warrant, commence an action to enjoin the society from transacting business or in quo warranto.  
The court shall thereupon notify the officers of the society of a hearing. If after a full hearing it appears that the society should be so enjoined or liquidated or a receiver appointed, the court shall enter the necessary order.  
[RR 2021, c. 1, Pt. B, §331 (COR).]
2.  No society so enjoined shall have the authority to do business until:  
A. The superintendent finds that the violation complained of has been corrected;   [PL 1973, c. 585, §12 (AMD).]
B. The cost of such action shall have been paid by the society if the court finds that the society was in default as charged;   [PL 1969, c. 132, §1 (NEW).]
C. The court has dissolved its injunction; and   [PL 1969, c. 132, §1 (NEW).]
D. The society's certificate of authority has been reinstated.   [PL 1977, c. 694, §431 (RPR).]
[PL 1977, c. 694, §431 (AMD).]
3.  If the court orders the society liquidated, it shall be enjoined from carrying on any further business, whereupon the receiver of the society shall proceed at once to take possession of the books, papers, money and other assets of the society and, under the direction of the court, proceed forthwith to close the affairs of the society and to distribute its funds to those entitled thereto.  
[PL 1969, c. 132, §1 (NEW).]
4.  No action under this section shall be recognized in any court of this State unless brought by the Attorney General upon request of the superintendent. Whenever a receiver is to be appointed for a domestic society, the court shall appoint the superintendent as such receiver.  
[PL 1973, c. 585, §12 (AMD).]
5.  The provisions of this section relating to hearing by the superintendent, action by the Attorney General at the request of the superintendent, hearing by the court, injunction and receivership shall be applicable to a society which shall voluntarily determine to discontinue business.  
[PL 1973, c. 585, §12 (AMD).]
6.  Nothing in this section may be construed as limiting the superintendent's authority to take enforcement action under section 12‑A in connection with violations of applicable provisions of this Title.  
[PL 2009, c. 13, §3 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1969, c. 132, §1 (NEW). PL 1973, c. 585, §12 (AMD). PL 1977, c. 694, §431 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 13, §3 (AMD). RR 2021, c. 1, Pt. B, §331 (COR).

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