reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MA Gen L ch 175m § 6 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XXII - Corporations|Chapter 175m - Family and Medical Leave|Section 6 - Contributions

Section 6. (a) For each employee or covered contract worker, an employer or a covered business entity shall remit to the Family and Employment Security Trust Fund established in section 7 contributions in the form and manner as determined by the department. The family leave and medical leave contribution rates set forth in this section shall be adjusted annually as specified in subsection (e) of section 7.  (a.25) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for the purposes of this section, the PCA quality home care workforce council established in section 71 of chapter 118E shall be the employer of personal care attendants, as defined in section 70 of said chapter 118E, and the department of early education and care shall be the employer of family child care providers, as defined in subsection (a) of section 17 of chapter 15D.  (b) A self-employed individual who is electing coverage under subsection (j) of section 2 shall be responsible for all contributions set forth in subsection (a) of this section on that individual's income from self-employment.  (c)(1) For medical leave, an employer shall not deduct more than 40 per cent of the contribution required for an employee by subsection (a) from that employee's wages and shall remit the full contribution required under said subsection (a) to the trust fund.  (2) For family leave, an employer may deduct not more than 100 per cent of the contribution required for an employee by subsection (a) from that employee's wages, and shall remit the full contribution required under subsection (a) to the trust fund.  (d) Notwithstanding subsection (c), an employer employing less than 25 employees in the commonwealth shall not be required to pay the employer portion of premiums for family and medical leave; provided, however, that such employer shall remit, for each employee, 100 per cent of the family leave contribution and 40 per cent of the medical leave contribution as otherwise required under subsection (a). An employer or other business or trade that is a covered business entity shall count covered contract workers as employees for the purposes of this subsection.  (e)(1) For medical leave, a covered business entity shall not deduct more than 40 per cent of the contribution required under subsection (a) to the trust fund for the income paid to each covered contract worker.  (2) For family leave, a covered business entity shall not deduct more than 100 per cent of the contribution required under subsection (a) to the trust fund for the income paid to each covered contract worker.  (f) Contributions to the trust fund under this section shall not be required for employees' wages, earnings of a self-employed individual or payments for services to covered contract workers above the contribution and benefit base limit established annually by the federal Social Security Administration for purposes of the Federal Old–Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program limits pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 430.
MA Gen L ch 175m § 10 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XXII - Corporations|Chapter 175m - Family and Medical Leave|Section 10 - Local Adoption

Section 10. A municipality, district, political subdivision or authority may adopt this chapter upon a majority vote of the local legislative body or the governing body. For the purposes of this section, a vote of the legislative body shall take place in a city by a vote of the city council subject to its charter, in a town by a vote at town meeting, for an authority by a vote of its governing body, in a district, by a vote of the district in a district meeting and by any other political subdivision or instrumentality, by a vote of its legislative body in accordance with its charter or enabling act.
MA Gen L ch 176 § 1 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XXII - Corporations|Chapter 176 - Fraternal Benefit Societies|Section 1 - Definitions

Section 1. Any incorporated society, order or supreme lodge, without capital stock, conducted solely for the benefit of its members and their beneficiaries, and not for profit, operated on a lodge system with ritualistic form of work, having a representative form of government, and which makes provision for the payment of benefits in accordance with this chapter, is hereby declared to be a fraternal benefit society.  As used in this chapter, the following words shall have the following meanings:—  ''Benefit contract'', the agreement for provision of benefits authorized by section 17.  ''Benefit member'', an adult member who is designated by the laws of the society to be a member under a benefit contract.  ''Certificate'', any document issued as written evidence of the benefit contract.  ''Commissioner'', the commissioner of insurance.  ''Fraternal benefit society or society'', an incorporated society, order or supreme lodge, without capital stock, conducted solely for the benefit of its members and their beneficiaries, and not for profit, operated on a lodge system with a ritualistic form of work, having a representative form of government, and which makes provision for the payment of benefits in accordance with this chapter. Fraternal benefit societies shall be governed by the provisions of this chapter and shall not be subjected to any provisions of chapter 176P.  ''Laws'', the society's articles of incorporation, constitution and by-laws however designated.  ''Limited society'', a domestic society or association that meets the requirements of section 45 or section 46 as in full force and effect immediately preceding August 15, 1958 and as codified in chapter 176P. Limited societies shall not include any society defined in this section. Limited societies shall be governed by said chapter 176P and shall not be subject to this chapter as modified, amended or added after August 15, 1958.  ''Premiums'', premiums, rates, dues or other required contributions by whatever name known, which are payable under the certificate.  ''Rules'', all rules, regulations or resolutions adopted by the supreme governing body or board of directors that are intended to have general application to the members of the society.
MA Gen L ch 176 § 1a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XXII - Corporations|Chapter 176 - Fraternal Benefit Societies|Section 1a - Applicability of Chapter 176v to Fraternal Benefit Societies

Section 1A. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, chapter 176V shall apply to fraternal benefit societies governed by this chapter.
MA Gen L ch 176 § 1b (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XXII - Corporations|Chapter 176 - Fraternal Benefit Societies|Section 1b - Applicability of Chapter 176w to Fraternal Benefit Societies

Section 1B. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, chapter 176W shall apply to fraternal benefit societies governed by this chapter.
MA Gen L ch 176 § 2 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XXII - Corporations|Chapter 176 - Fraternal Benefit Societies|Section 2 - Lodge System

Section 2. A society having a supreme legislative or governing body and subordinate lodges or branches by whatever name known, into which members are elected, initiated or admitted in accordance with its constitution, by-laws, ritual and rules, which subordinate lodges or branches are required by the by-laws of the society to hold regular meetings at least once in each month, shall be deemed to be operating on the lodge system.
MA Gen L ch 176 § 3 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XXII - Corporations|Chapter 176 - Fraternal Benefit Societies|Section 3 - Representative Form of Government

Section 3. A society has a representative form of government when:  (a) it has a supreme governing body constituted in one of the following ways:  (1) The supreme governing body is an assembly composed of delegates elected directly by the members or at intermediate assemblies or conventions of members or their representatives, together with other delegates as may be prescribed in the society's laws. A society may provide for election of delegates by mail. The elected delegates shall constitute a majority in number and shall not have less than two-thirds of the votes and not less than the number of votes required to amend the society's laws. The assembly shall be elected and shall meet at least once every four years and shall elect a board of directors to conduct the business of the society between meetings of the assembly. Vacancies on the board of directors between elections may be filled in the manner prescribed by the society's laws.  (2) The supreme governing body is a board composed of persons elected by the members, either directly or by their representatives in intermediate assemblies, and any other persons prescribed in the society's laws. A society may provide for election of the board by mail. Each term of a board may be filled in the manner prescribed by the society's laws. Those persons elected to the board shall constitute a majority in number and not less than the number of votes required to amend the society's laws. A person filling the unexpired term of an elected board member shall be considered to be an elected member. The board shall meet at least quarterly to conduct the business of the society.  (b) the officers of the society are elected whether by the supreme governing body or by the board of directors.  (c) only benefit members are eligible for election to the supreme governing body, the board of directors or any intermediate assembly.  (d) each voting member shall have one vote and no vote may be cast by proxy.
MA Gen L ch 176 § 5 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XXII - Corporations|Chapter 176 - Fraternal Benefit Societies|Section 5 - Principal Office

Section 5. The principal office of any domestic society shall be located in the commonwealth. The meetings of its supreme legislative or governing body may be held in any state, district, province or territory wherein such society has at least five subordinate branches, and all business transacted at such meetings shall be as valid in all respects as if such meetings were held in the commonwealth.
MA Gen L ch 176 § 6 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XXII - Corporations|Chapter 176 - Fraternal Benefit Societies|Section 6 - Change in Location of Place of Business or Purposes of Incorporation; Rights, Powers and Privileges

Section 6. A domestic fraternal benefit corporation may, with the approval of the commissioner, change the location of its place of business to another location in the commonwealth, or change the purposes for which it was incorporated so as to permit it to transact any business authorized by this chapter. Upon such approval the presiding, financial and recording officers, and a majority of its other officers having the powers of directors, shall file in the office of the state secretary a certificate, with the approval of the commissioner endorsed thereon, setting forth the change in the location of its place of business or in the purposes of the corporation. The state secretary shall, upon receipt of a fee to be determine annually by the commissioner of administration under the provision of section three B of chapter seven, cause such certificate to be filed in his office. Every domestic fraternal beneficiary corporation may exercise all the rights, powers and privileges conferred by this chapter, including the powers specified in section forty, or its certificate of incorporation or charter, not inconsistent herewith, and shall be subject to this chapter, as if reincorporated hereunder.
MA Gen L ch 176 § 8 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XXII - Corporations|Chapter 176 - Fraternal Benefit Societies|Section 8 - Conversion to Mutual Life Insurance Company

Section 8. Any domestic society may be converted and licensed as a mutual life insurance company by compliance with all the requirements of chapter one hundred and seventy-five relating to the financial requirements of mutual life insurance companies if such plan of conversion has been approved by the commissioner. Such plan shall be prepared in writing setting forth in full the terms and conditions thereof. The board of directors shall submit such plan to the supreme legislative or governing body of such society at any regular or special meeting thereof, by giving a full, true and complete copy of such plan, with the notice of such meeting. Such notice shall be given as provided in the laws of the society for the convocation of a regular or special meeting of such body, as the case may be. The affirmative vote of two thirds of all members of such body shall be necessary for the approval of such agreement. No such conversion shall take effect unless and until approved by the commissioner who may give such approval if he finds that the proposed change is in conformity with the requirements of law and not prejudicial to the certificate holders of the society.
MA Gen L ch 176 § 9 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XXII - Corporations|Chapter 176 - Fraternal Benefit Societies|Section 9 - Admission to Membership

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.
MA Gen L ch 176 § 10 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XXII - Corporations|Chapter 176 - Fraternal Benefit Societies|Section 10 - Amendment of Articles of Incorporation

Section 10. A domestic society may amend its articles of incorporation, constitution or laws in accordance with the provisions thereof by action of its supreme legislative or governing body at any regular or special meeting thereof, or, if its articles of incorporation, constitution or laws so provide, by referendum. Such referendum may be held in accordance with the provisions of its articles of incorporation, constitution or by-laws by the vote of the voting members of the society, by the vote of delegates or representatives of voting members, or by the vote of local lodges or branches. No amendment submitted for adoption by referendum shall be adopted unless, within six months from the date of submission thereof, a majority of all of the voting members of the society shall have signified their consent to such amendment by one of the methods herein specified.  No amendment to the articles of incorporation, constitution or by-laws of any domestic society shall take effect unless approved by the commissioner who shall approve such amendment if he finds that it has been duly adopted and is not inconsistent with any requirement of the laws of the commonwealth or with the character, objects and purposes of the society. Unless the commissioner shall disapprove any such amendment within sixty days after the filing of same, such amendment shall be considered approved. The approval or disapproval of the commissioner shall be in writing and mailed to the secretary or corresponding officer of the society at its principal office. In case he disapproves such amendment, the reasons therefor shall be stated in such written notice.  Within ninety days from the approval thereof by the commissioner, or from the time such amendment is considered approved, as provided in this section, all such amendments, or a synopsis thereof, shall be furnished to all members of the society either by mail or by publication in full in the official organ of the society. The affidavit of any officer of the society or of any one authorized by it to mail any amendments or synopsis thereof, stating facts which show that same have been duly addressed and mailed, shall be prima facie evidence that such amendments or synopsis thereof have been furnished the addressee.  Every foreign or alien society authorized to do business in the commonwealth shall file with the commissioner a duly certified copy of all amendments of, or additions to, its articles of incorporation, constitution or laws within ninety days after the enactment of same.  Printed copies of the constitution or laws, as amended, certified by the secretary or corresponding officer of the society, shall be prima facie evidence of the legal adoption thereof.
MA Gen L ch 176 § 11 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XXII - Corporations|Chapter 176 - Fraternal Benefit Societies|Section 11 - Fraudulent Alteration, etc., of Records

Section 11. Whoever with fraudulent intent alters, defaces, mutilates, destroys or conceals any record of any society made by or in the custody of the secretary thereof shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.
MA Gen L ch 176 § 12 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XXII - Corporations|Chapter 176 - Fraternal Benefit Societies|Section 12 - Funds

Section 12. Any society may create, maintain, invest, disburse and apply a death fund, any part of which may in accordance with the by-laws of the society be designated and set apart as an emergency, a surplus or other similar fund, and a disability fund and a hospitalization and medical service fund. Such funds shall be held, invested and disbursed for the use and benefit of the society, and no member or beneficiary shall have or acquire individual rights therein or become entitled to any part thereof except as provided in sections seventeen, twenty or twenty-five. The funds from which benefits shall be paid shall be derived and the fund from which the expenses of the society shall be defrayed may be derived from periodical or other payments by the members of the society and accretions of said funds.
MA Gen L ch 176 § 13 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XXII - Corporations|Chapter 176 - Fraternal Benefit Societies|Section 13 - Disbursements; Vouchers

Section 13. No society shall make any disbursements of fifteen dollars or more, except disbursements on account of the return of dues paid in advance, unless the same be evidenced by a voucher signed by or on behalf of the person receiving the money and correctly describing the consideration for the payment, and if the same be for services and disbursements setting forth the services rendered and an itemized statement of the disbursements made; and if it be in connection with any matter pending before any legislature or public body, or before any department, board, commission or officer of any government, whether local, state or national, correctly describing in addition the nature of the matter and of the interest of such society therein; or, if such voucher cannot be obtained, by an affidavit stating the reason for not obtaining such voucher, and setting forth the particulars above mentioned.
MA Gen L ch 176 § 14 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XXII - Corporations|Chapter 176 - Fraternal Benefit Societies|Section 14 - Creation and Operation of Charitable, Benevolent or Educational Institutions

Section 14. It shall be lawful for a society to create, maintain and operate charitable, benevolent or educational institutions for the benefit of its members and their families and dependents, and for the benefit of children insured by the society. For such purpose it may own, hold or lease personal property or real property located within or without the commonwealth, with necessary buildings thereon. Such property shall be reported in every annual statement, but shall not be allowed as an admitted asset of such society.  Maintenance, treatment and proper attendance in any such institution may be furnished free or a reasonable charge may be made therefor, but no such institution shall be operated for profit. The society shall maintain a separate accounting of any income and disbursements under this section and report them in its annual statement. No society shall own or operate funeral homes or undertaking establishments.
MA Gen L ch 176 § 15 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XXII - Corporations|Chapter 176 - Fraternal Benefit Societies|Section 15 - Benefits Other Than Insurance Benefits

Section 15. A society may pay benefits, other than insurance benefits, to its members from any special account or fund maintained for such purpose; provided, that if such benefits are of such a nature that they could constitute benefits within the classes of insurance set forth in section seventeen, a society making such payments may not—  (a) Make any separate charge therefor;  (b) Issue any certificate, policy or other document promising such payments;  (c) Provide in its constitution, laws or any other document that such payments may be received by the member as a matter of right; or  (d) Advertise such payments as insurance or as payments to which the member has any right.  The society shall maintain a separate accounting of all disbursements made under this section and report them in its annual statement.
MA Gen L ch 176 § 17 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XXII - Corporations|Chapter 176 - Fraternal Benefit Societies|Section 17 - Benefits

Section 17. A society authorized to do business in the commonwealth may provide for the payment of—  (a) Death benefits in any form;  (b) Endowment benefits;  (c) Annuity benefits;  (d) Temporary or permanent disability benefits;  (e) Hospital, medical or nursing benefits;  (f) Monument or tombstone benefits to the memory of deceased members not exceeding in any case the sum of three hundred dollars; and  (g) Such other benefits as authorized for life insurers and which are not inconsistent with this chapter.  A society shall specify in its rules those persons who may be issues, or covered by, the contractual benefits authorized in clauses (a) to (g), inclusive, consistent with providing benefits to members and their dependents.