Section 41. (a) No foreign society shall transact any business in the commonwealth without a license from the commissioner. Such society applying for such a license shall file with the commissioner a duly certified copy of its charter or articles of association; a copy of its constitution and by-laws, certified by its secretary or corresponding officer; a power of attorney to the commissioner, as provided in section 42; a statement of its business and the names and addresses of its officers and agents, on oath of its president and secretary, or corresponding officers, in the form required by the commissioner, duly verified by an examination made by the supervising insurance official of its home state or other state satisfactory to the commissioner; a copy of its certificate of membership; and a certificate from the proper official of its home state, territory, district or country that the society is legally organized.
(b) The society shall also show that the benefits are provided for by periodical or other payments by persons holding similar contracts; that its assets are invested in accordance with the laws of the state or country where it is organized; and that it has the qualifications required of domestic societies on the lodge system incorporated under this chapter. A society which grants benefits for disability arising from accidental injury or from sickness or hospitalization or medical services shall be required to show that it has accumulated funds, usable only for the payment of such benefits and in excess of accrued claims for such benefits, not less in amount than three monthly contributions or one quarterly contribution from members entitled to such benefits. Such society shall further be required, as a condition for the maintenance of its authority to do business in this commonwealth, to maintain at all times after admission, as regards disability, hospitalization and medical service benefits, funds in amount as set forth in the preceding sentence, and shall furnish the commissioner such other information as he may deem necessary for the proper exhibit of its business and plan of working.
(c) Upon compliance with these requirements, such foreign society shall be entitled to a license to transact business in the commonwealth until July 1 of the following year, and such license shall, in compliance with this chapter, be renewed annually, but in all cases to terminate on July 1 of the following year, except that it shall continue in full force and effect until the new license is issued, or is refused after notice and hearing. For every such license or renewal the society shall pay to the commissioner $20.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part I - Administration of the Government
Chapter 176p - Limited Societies
Section 3 - Representative Government; Elections; Meetings; Record
Section 4 - Limitation of Membership
Section 5 - Exemption From Certain Laws
Section 6 - Formation of Corporation; Purposes; Association Agreement
Section 7 - First Meeting; Notice; Adoption of By-Laws; Filing of Certificate
Section 11 - Limited Societies; Change of Location of Business; Change of Purpose of Corporation
Section 13 - Death Funds; Emergency Funds; Disability Funds
Section 13a - By-Laws; Creation of Independent Hospitalization and Medical Services Fund
Section 18 - Investment of Funds
Section 19a - Death Benefits Payable as Annuities
Section 20 - Death Benefit Certificates
Section 21 - Death or Annuity Benefits; Beneficiaries Designated by Members
Section 22 - Funeral Expenses of Insureds
Section 24 - Death Benefit Certificates as to Children
Section 26 - Separation of Assets, Funds and Liabilities
Section 27 - Mingling of Certain Funds
Section 28 - Actions by Beneficiaries
Section 29 - Attachment or Taking of Benefits to Pay Debt of Member or Beneficiary
Section 30 - Exemption From Attachment or Execution
Section 31 - Admission of Persons to Beneficial Membership
Section 32 - Constitution and By-Laws of Society; Amendments
Section 32a - Fraudulent Alteration or Concealment of Records
Section 33 - Location of Meetings; Location of Principal Office
Section 34 - Waiver of Constitutional Provisions
Section 35 - Filing Certified Copies of Amendments to Constitution or By-Laws With Commissioner
Section 37 - Copy of Commissioner's Examination Reports Served on Societies
Section 37a - Disbursements Made by Societies; Requirements
Section 38 - Annual Statement of Society's Condition and Standing
Section 38a - Applicability of Chapter 176v to a Limited Society Governed by This Chapter
Section 38b - Applicability of Chapter 176w to a Limited Society Governed by This Chapter
Section 39 - Annual Valuation Report in Addition to Annual Statement; Societies on Lodge System
Section 39a - Valuation of Bonds or Other Evidence of Debt
Section 41 - Licenses for Foreign Societies to Transact Business in Commonwealth
Section 42 - Foreign Societies; Service of Process
Section 42a - Foreign Societies; Deposit
Section 43 - Foreign Societies; Refusal to Issue License; Revocation of License
Section 44 - Foreign Societies; Examination by Commissioner
Section 46a - Subordinate Lodge of Society; Ritualistic Form of Work; Disability Benefits
Section 46b - Incorporated Domestic Society Transacting Business Under Sec. 45 or 46; Real Estate
Section 46c - Society Subject to Sec. 45 or 46; Payment of Benefits
Section 47 - Jurisdiction of Superior Court in Equity
Section 49 - Unauthorized Solicitation; Penalties