Section 44. The officers of a corporation shall be jointly and severally liable for its debts and contracts in the following cases, and not otherwise:
The president and directors shall be so liable—
First, For making or consenting to a dividend if the corporation is or thereby is rendered insolvent, to the extent of such dividend.
Second, For debts contracted between the time of making or assenting to a loan to a stockholder and the time of its repayment, to the extent of such loan.
Third, If the debts of a corporation exceed its capital, to the extent of such excess existing at the time of the commencement of the suit against the corporation in which the judgment was recovered upon which the suit in equity to enforce such liability is brought as provided in section forty-nine.
The president, directors and treasurer shall be so liable—
Fourth, For signing any statement filed under section thirty-three, if the property mentioned in such statement is not conveyed and taken at a fair valuation; but only the officers who sign the statement shall be so liable.
The president, directors and other officers shall be so liable—
Fifth, For signing any certificate which is required by law knowing it to be false; but only the officers who have knowledge thereof shall be liable.
Sixth, For debts contracted before the original capital has been fully paid in and the certificate of such payment has been filed in accordance with section thirty-two.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part I - Administration of the Government
Chapter 158 - Certain Miscellaneous Corporations
Section 1 - Application of Chapter; Secretary Defined
Section 3 - Corporations Formed to Furnish Steam, Hot Water, or Hydrostatic or Pneumatic Pressure
Section 4 - Number of Incorporators; Capital
Section 5 - Contents of Agreement of Association
Section 7 - Subscribers to Hold Franchise; Distribution of Shares
Section 9 - Submission of Details of Organization to Secretary; Approval; Certificate
Section 10 - Business Powers of Corporation
Section 11 - Alteration, Addition to or Change of Business
Section 12 - Digging Up or Opening Streets or Highways; Qualified Corporations
Section 13 - Highway Defects Caused by Corporation; Liability
Section 14 - Pipes or Conductors in Street; Regulation by Municipality
Section 15 - Corporations for Introduction and Propagation of Herrings and Alewives; Local Permit
Section 17 - Safe Deposit Boxes; Definitions; Insurance Notice; Overdue Rentals; Affidavit
Section 18 - Management by Officers; Selection of President
Section 19 - Selection of Directors, Clerk, Treasurer and Other Agents and Officers; Term
Section 20 - Clerk's Duties; Treasurer's Bond
Section 21 - Entitlement to Stock Certificates
Section 22 - Lost Certificates
Section 23 - Special Charter Corporations; Fixing and Limiting of Capital Stock
Section 24 - Increase or Reduction of Capital Stock
Section 26 - Employees' Stock; Issuance
Section 27 - Employees' Stock; Dividends
Section 28 - Employees' Stock; Transfer; Redemption; Limitation Upon Number of Shares
Section 29 - Assessment Upon Shares
Section 30 - Failure to Pay Assessment; Sale of Shares
Section 31 - Notice of Sale; Transfer of Shares Sold
Section 32 - Commencement of Business; Payment of Capital Stock
Section 33 - Payment for Capital Stock
Section 36 - Correction of Defective Proceedings; Procedure
Section 37 - Annual Certificate of Condition
Section 38 - Failure to File Annual Certificate; Dissolution
Section 39 - Certificate of Increase of Capital Stock; Filing
Section 40 - Certificate of Reduction of Capital Stock; Filing
Section 41 - Submission of Certificate to Secretary; Approval; Filing; Fee
Section 42 - Penalties for Omitting to File Certificates
Section 44 - Officers; Liability for Debts and Contracts
Section 45 - Members or Stockholders; Liability for Debts and Contracts
Section 46 - Conditions to Liability
Section 47 - Right of Judgment Creditor to Officer and Shareholder List
Section 48 - Refusal to Give List; False List; Penalty
Section 49 - Bill in Equity Against Officers and Stockholders
Section 50 - Proportionate Assessment of Shareholders
Section 51 - Death of a Defendant
Section 52 - Dismissal; Notice
Section 53 - Non-Joinder of Parties; Abatement
Section 54 - Defense by Officer or Stockholder of Action Against Corporation