Section 9. (a) In addition to its purposes under chapter 156D as a business corporation, a benefit corporation shall have the purpose of creating general public benefit.
(b) The articles of organization of a benefit corporation may identify 1 or more specific public benefits that it is the purpose of the benefit corporation to create in addition to its purpose as a business corporation and under subsection (a). The identification of a specific public benefit under this subsection shall not limit the obligation of a benefit corporation under subsection (a).
(c) The creation of a general public benefit and a specific public benefit under subsections (a) and (b) shall be in the best interest of the benefit corporation.
(d) A benefit corporation may amend its articles of organization to add, amend or delete the identification of a specific public benefit under chapter 156D; provided, however, that the elimination of an optional specific public benefit shall not significantly diminish or eliminate the general public benefit required in this subsection.
(e) A professional corporation that is a benefit corporation shall not be in violation of section 3 of chapter 156A by having the purpose to create a general public benefit or a specific public benefit.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part I - Administration of the Government
Chapter 156e - Benefit Corporations
Section 4 - Organization of Benefit Corporation
Section 5 - Election by Existing Corporation to Convert to Benefit Corporation
Section 6 - Termination of Status as Benefit Corporation
Section 8 - Creation for Benefit Corporation Resulting From Merger, Share Exchange or Conversion
Section 9 - General Public Benefit; Specific Public Benefit
Section 13 - Benefit Officer; Powers and Duties
Section 14 - Benefit Enforcement Proceeding