Section 9. A society may admit to benefit membership any person not less than fifteen years of age, nearest birthday, who has furnished evidence of insurability acceptable to the society. Any such member who shall apply for additional benefits more than six months after becoming a benefit member shall pass an additional medical examination, or make an additional declaration of insurability, as required by the society.
Any person admitted prior to attaining the age of majority shall be bound by the terms of the application and certificate and by all the by-laws and rules of the society, and shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges of membership therein to the same extent as though said applicant had attained said full age at the time of application.
No society authorized to issue certificates under this chapter may refuse to admit to benefit membership any person, otherwise qualified, for the sole reason of blindness.
A society shall specify in its laws or rules eligibility standards for each and every class of membership, the process for admission to membership, the process for admission to membership for each membership class, and the rights and privileges of each membership class, but only the benefit members shall have the right to vote on the management of insurance affairs of the society.
Membership rights of a society are personal to the member and are not assignable.
A society may provide in its laws or rules for grievance or complaint procedures for members.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part I - Administration of the Government
Chapter 176 - Fraternal Benefit Societies
Section 1a - Applicability of Chapter 176v to Fraternal Benefit Societies
Section 1b - Applicability of Chapter 176w to Fraternal Benefit Societies
Section 3 - Representative Form of Government
Section 4 - Articles of Incorporation; Preliminary Certificate; Certificate; Powers
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 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 19 - Deferred Payments or Instalments
Section 20 - Paid-Up Nonforfeiture Benefits, Cash Surrender Values, and Other Options
Section 22 - Attachment or Other Process
Section 22a - Burial Benefits; Restrictions; Payment
Section 24 - Filing Copies of Forms With Commissioner; Standard Provisions of Certificates
Section 25 - Surplus of Assets; Waiver of Contributions
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 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 51 - Application of Chapter
Section 53 - Jurisdiction to Restrain Violations, Etc.
Section 55 - Solicitation of Membership in Society Not Authorized to Transact Business, Etc.