Massachusetts General Laws
Chapter 176 - Fraternal Benefit Societies
Section 7 - Consolidation or Merger

Section 7. A domestic society may consolidate or merge with any other society by complying with the provisions of this section.
It shall file with the commissioner—
(a) A certified copy of the written contract containing in full the terms and conditions of the consolidation or merger;
(b) A sworn statement by the president and secretary or corresponding officers of each society showing the financial condition thereof on a date fixed by the commissioner, but not earlier than December thirty-first, next preceding the date of the contract;
(c) A certificate of such officers, duly verified by their respective oaths, that the consolidation or merger has been approved by a two-thirds vote of the supreme legislative or governing body of each society; and
(d) Evidence that at least sixty days prior to the action of the supreme legislative or governing body of each society the text of the contract has been furnished to all members of each society either by mail or by publication in full in the official organ of each society.
If the commissioner finds that the contract is in conformity with the provisions of this section, that the financial statements are correct and that the consolidation or merger is just and equitable to the members of each society, he shall approve the contract and issue his certificate to such effect. Upon such approval, the contract shall be in full force and effect unless any society which is a party to the contract is incorporated under the laws of any other state or territory. In such event the consolidation or merger shall not become effective unless and until it has been approved as provided by the laws of such state or territory, and a certificate of such approval filed with the commissioner, or, if the laws of such state or territory contain no such provision, then the consolidation or merger shall not become effective unless and until it has been approved by the commissioner of insurance, or other officer or officers, exercising like powers, of such state or territory, and a certificate of such approval filed with the commissioner.
Upon the consolidation or merger becoming effective as herein provided, all the rights, franchises and interests of the consolidated or merged societies in and to every species of property, real, personal or mixed, and things in action thereunto belonging shall be vested in the society resulting from or remaining after the consolidation or merger without any other instrument, except that conveyances of real property may be evidenced by proper deeds, and the title to any real estate or interest therein, vested under the laws of the commonwealth in any of the societies consolidated or merged, shall not revert or be in any way impaired by reason of the consolidation or merger, but shall vest absolutely in the society resulting from or remaining after such consolidation or merger.
The affidavit of any officer of the society or of any one authorized by it to mail any notice or document, stating that such notice or document has been duly addressed and mailed, shall be prima facie evidence that such notice or document has been furnished the addressees.

Structure Massachusetts General Laws

Massachusetts General Laws

Part I - Administration of the Government

Title XXII - Corporations

Chapter 176 - Fraternal Benefit Societies

Section 1 - Definitions

Section 1a - Applicability of Chapter 176v to Fraternal Benefit Societies

Section 1b - Applicability of Chapter 176w to Fraternal Benefit Societies

Section 2 - Lodge System

Section 3 - Representative Form of Government

Section 4 - Articles of Incorporation; Preliminary Certificate; Certificate; Powers

Section 5 - Principal Office

Section 6 - Change in Location of Place of Business or Purposes of Incorporation; Rights, Powers and Privileges

Section 7 - Consolidation or Merger

Section 8 - Conversion to Mutual Life Insurance Company

Section 9 - Admission to Membership

Section 10 - Amendment of Articles of Incorporation

Section 11 - Fraudulent Alteration, etc., of Records

Section 12 - Funds

Section 13 - Disbursements; Vouchers

Section 14 - Creation and Operation of Charitable, Benevolent or Educational Institutions

Section 15 - Benefits Other Than Insurance Benefits

Section 16 - Liability of Officers and Members; Indemnification

Section 17 - Benefits

Section 18 - Children

Section 19 - Deferred Payments or Instalments

Section 20 - Paid-Up Nonforfeiture Benefits, Cash Surrender Values, and Other Options

Section 21 - Change of Beneficiary; Interest of Beneficiary; Funeral Benefits; Payment of Benefits to Personal Representative

Section 22 - Attachment or Other Process

Section 22a - Burial Benefits; Restrictions; Payment

Section 23 - Certificate; Agreement Between Society and Member; Statements by Member as Representations; Reserves

Section 24 - Filing Copies of Forms With Commissioner; Standard Provisions of Certificates

Section 25 - Surplus of Assets; Waiver of Contributions

Section 27 - Waiver of By-Laws or Constitutional Provisions by Subordinate Bodies, Officers or Members

Section 28 - Reinsurance

Section 29 - Termination and Renewal of Licenses; Fees; License as Evidence

Section 30 - Licensing of Foreign or Alien Societies

Section 31 - Action by Beneficiary

Section 32 - Foreign Societies; Deposits

Section 33 - Injunction Against Transaction of Business; Grounds; Procedure

Section 34 - Foreign or Alien Societies; Suspension or Denial of License

Section 35 - Agents of Societies; Licensing

Section 36 - Commissioner as Attorney for Service of Process

Section 37 - Injunction; Attorney General

Section 38 - Review of Commissioner's Decisions and Findings

Section 39 - Assets; Special Funds; Expenses

Section 40 - Investment of Funds

Section 41 - Reports; Annual Statements

Section 42 - Valuation of Bonds or Other Evidences of Debt

Section 43 - Additional, Increased or Extra Rates of Contributions

Section 44 - Domestic Societies; Visitation and Examination; Confidentiality and Privilege; Report and Recommendations

Section 45 - Foreign or Alien Societies; Examination; Confidentiality and Privilege

Section 46 - Financial Statement, Report or Finding; Service Upon Society

Section 47 - Misrepresentations, Etc. Concerning Society or Contract

Section 48 - Unfair Discrimination; Inducements Not Specified in Certificate or Contract

Section 49 - Tax Exemption

Section 50 - Law Governing

Section 51 - Application of Chapter

Section 52 - Penalties

Section 53 - Jurisdiction to Restrain Violations, Etc.

Section 54 - Validity of Contracts Issued in Violation of Chapter, Charter, Articles, Constitution or By-Laws

Section 55 - Solicitation of Membership in Society Not Authorized to Transact Business, Etc.

Section 56 - Payment of Pensions to Employees of Society