(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 nonprofit 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 the 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 the 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.
(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), 5508 (relating to corporate records; inspection by members) and 5734 (relating to other body) 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)
Cross References. Section 5512 is referred to in section 5508 of this title.
Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Title 15 - CORPORATIONS AND UNINCORPORATED ASSOCIATIONS
Chapter 55 - Corporate Powers, Duties and Safeguards
Section 5501 - Corporate capacity
Section 5503 - Defense of ultra vires
Section 5504 - Adoption, amendment and contents of bylaws
Section 5505 - Persons bound by bylaws
Section 5506 - Form of execution of instruments
Section 5507 - Registered office
Section 5508 - Corporate records; inspection by members
Section 5509 - Bylaws and other powers in emergency
Section 5510 - Certain specifically authorized debt terms
Section 5511 - Establishment of subordinate units
Section 5512 - Informational rights of a director
Section 5513 - Forum selection provisions
Section 5541 - Capital contributions of members
Section 5543 - Debt and security interests
Section 5543.1 - Usury not a defense (Repealed)
Section 5544 - Dues and assessments
Section 5545 - Income from corporate activities
Section 5546 - Purchase, sale, mortgage and lease of real property
Section 5546.1 - Insolvency or bankruptcy (Repealed)
Section 5547 - Authority to take and hold trust property
Section 5548 - Investment of trust funds
Section 5548.1 - Nonjudicial settlement agreement
Section 5549 - Transfer of trust or other assets to institutional trustee
Section 5550 - Devises, bequests and gifts after certain fundamental changes
Section 5551 - Dividends prohibited; compensation and certain payments authorized
Section 5553 - Liabilities of members
Section 5554 - Annual report of directors or other body
Section 5585 - Establishment or use of common trust funds authorized
Section 5586 - Restrictions on investments
Section 5587 - Determination of interests