Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Chapter 55 - Corporate Powers, Duties and Safeguards
Section 5509 - Bylaws and other powers in emergency

(a) General rule.--Except as otherwise restricted in the bylaws, the board of directors or other body of any nonprofit corporation may adopt emergency bylaws, subject to repeal or change by action of the members, which shall, notwithstanding any different provisions of law or of the articles or bylaws, be effective during an emergency. The emergency bylaws may make any provision that may be appropriate for the circumstances of the emergency, including:
(1) Procedures for calling meetings of delegates, the board or an other body.
(2) Quorum requirements for meetings of delegates, the board or an other body.
(3) Procedures for designating additional or substitute directors or members of an other body.
(b) Lines of succession; head office.--The board of directors or other body, or the officers, if authorized by the board of directors or other body, either before or during any emergency, may:
(1) provide, and from time to time modify, lines of succession in the event that during the emergency any or all officers or agents of the corporation shall for any reason be rendered incapable of discharging their duties; and
(2) effective in the emergency, change the head offices or designate several alternative head offices or regional offices of the corporation.
(c) Representatives not liable.--A representative of the corporation:
(1) Acting in accordance with any emergency bylaws in effect at the time or otherwise in accordance with this section is not liable for monetary damages except for:
(i) self-dealing, willful misconduct or recklessness;
(ii) violation of a criminal statute; or
(iii) payment of taxes pursuant to Federal, State or local law.
(2) Is not liable for any action taken by the representative in good faith in an emergency in furtherance of the ordinary business affairs of the corporation even though not authorized by the emergency or other bylaws then in effect.
(d) Effect on regular bylaws.--To the extent not inconsistent with any emergency bylaws, the bylaws of the corporation shall remain in effect during any emergency, and, upon its termination, the emergency bylaws shall cease to be effective.
(e) Procedure in absence of emergency bylaws.--Unless otherwise provided in emergency bylaws, notice of any meeting of delegates, the board of directors or an other body during an emergency shall be given only to those delegates, directors or members of an other body it is feasible to reach at the time and by such means as are feasible at the time, including publication, radio or television. To the extent required to constitute a quorum at any meeting of the board of directors or an other body during any emergency, the officers of the corporation who are present at the meeting shall, unless otherwise provided in emergency bylaws, be deemed, in order of rank and within the same rank in order of seniority, directors or members of the other body, as the case may be, for the meeting. An officer serving as a director or member of an other body under this subsection shall be subject to, and entitled to the benefits of the provisions of this subpart relating to directors or members of an other body.
(f) Corporate actions.--A corporate action to further the ordinary business affairs of the corporation that is taken in good faith in accordance with any emergency bylaws in effect at the time or otherwise in accordance with this section is valid and binding on the corporation.
(g) Member meetings.--The required time for holding the annual meeting of delegates or members of a corporation provided in section 5755(a) (relating to time of holding meetings of members) or the articles or bylaws is tolled during an emergency. The board or other body, acting by a majority of the directors or members of the other body that can be assembled, may take any action during an emergency that the board or other body determines to be practical and necessary to address the circumstances of the emergency with respect to a meeting of members notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this subpart or in the articles or bylaws. The actions the board or other body may take include postponing the meeting to a later time or date, with the record date for determining the members entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting applying to the postponed meeting without regard to section 5763 (relating to determination of members of record).
(h) Definition.--As used in this section, and for no other purpose, "emergency" means a period during which a quorum of the board or an other body cannot readily be assembled as a result of:
(1) an attack on the United States;
(2) a nuclear disaster;
(3) an epidemic or pandemic;
(4) a state of emergency under Federal or State law covering a geographic area in which the corporation has its principal office or a significant regional office or operation; or
(5) any other catastrophe or disaster.
(July 9, 2013, P.L.476, No.67, eff. 60 days; Nov. 3, 2022, P.L.1791, No.122, eff. 60 days)