(a) General rule.--To the extent reasonably related to the performance of the duties of the director, including those arising from service as a member of a committee of the board of directors, a director of a business corporation is entitled:
(1) in person or by any attorney or other agent, at any reasonable time, to inspect and copy corporate books, records and documents and, in addition, to inspect and receive information regarding the assets, liabilities and operations of the corporation and any subsidiaries of the corporation incorporated or otherwise organized or created under the laws of this Commonwealth that are controlled directly or indirectly by the corporation; and
(2) to demand that the corporation exercise whatever rights it may have to obtain information regarding any other subsidiaries of the corporation.
(b) Proceedings for enforcement of inspection by a director.--If the corporation, or an officer or agent thereof, refuses to permit an inspection or obtain or provide information sought by a director or attorney or other agent acting for the director pursuant to subsection (a) or does not reply to the request within two business days after the request has been made, the director may file an action in the court for an order to compel the inspection or the obtaining or providing of the information. The court shall summarily order the corporation to permit the requested inspection or to obtain the information unless the corporation establishes that information other than the bylaws to be obtained by the exercise of the right is not reasonably related to the performance of the duties of the director or that the director or the attorney or agent of the director is likely to use that information in a manner that would violate the duty of the director to the corporation. The order of the court may contain provisions protecting the corporation from undue burden or expense and prohibiting the director from using the information in a manner that would violate the duty of the director to the corporation.
(c) Right to bylaws.--Every director has the right to receive, on demand and without charge, a copy in record form of the currently effective text of the bylaws. This subsection may not be relaxed by any provision of the articles.
(d) Reasonable restrictions permitted.--The corporation may impose reasonable restrictions and conditions on access to and use of information to be furnished under this section, including designating information confidential and imposing nondisclosure and safeguarding obligations on the recipient. In a dispute concerning the reasonableness of a restriction, condition or obligation under this subsection, the corporation has the burden of proving reasonableness.
(e) Cross references.--See sections 107 (relating to form of records) and 1508 (relating to corporate records; inspection by shareholders) and 42 Pa.C.S. ยง 2503(7) (relating to right of participants to receive counsel fees).
(June 22, 2001, P.L.418, No.34, eff. 60 days; Nov. 3, 2022, P.L.1791, No.122, eff. 60 days)
2022 Amendment. Act 122 amended subsec. (b), relettered former subsec. (c) to subsec. (e) and added present subsec. (c) and added subsec. (d).
2001 Amendment. Act 34 added section 1512.
Cross References. Section 1512 is referred to in section 1508 of this title.
Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Title 15 - CORPORATIONS AND UNINCORPORATED ASSOCIATIONS
Chapter 15 - Corporate Powers, Duties and Safeguards
Section 1501 - Corporate capacity
Section 1503 - Defense of ultra vires
Section 1504 - Adoption, amendment and contents of bylaws
Section 1505 - Persons bound by bylaws
Section 1506 - Form of execution of instruments
Section 1507 - Registered office
Section 1508 - Corporate records; inspection by shareholders
Section 1509 - Bylaws and other powers in emergency
Section 1510 - Certain specifically authorized debt terms
Section 1511 - Additional powers of certain public utility corporations
Section 1512 - Informational rights of a director
Section 1513 - Forum selection provisions
Section 1521 - Authorized shares
Section 1522 - Issuance of shares in classes or series; board action
Section 1523 - Pricing and issuance of shares
Section 1524 - Payment for shares
Section 1525 - Stock rights and options
Section 1526 - Liability of shareholders
Section 1527 - Issuance of fractional shares or scrip
Section 1528 - Shares represented by certificates and uncertificated shares
Section 1529 - Transfer of securities; restrictions
Section 1530 - Preemptive rights of shareholders
Section 1531 - Voting powers and other rights of certain securityholders and other entities
Section 1532 - Effect of failure to surrender securities converted by reorganization
Section 1551 - Distributions to shareholders
Section 1552 - Power of corporation to acquire its own shares
Section 1553 - Liability for unlawful dividends and other distributions
Section 1554 - Financial reports to shareholders
Section 1571 - Application and effect of subchapter
Section 1573 - Record and beneficial holders and owners
Section 1574 - Notice of intention to dissent
Section 1575 - Notice to demand payment
Section 1576 - Failure to comply with notice to demand payment, etc
Section 1577 - Release of restrictions or payment for shares
Section 1578 - Estimate by dissenter of fair value of shares