reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 2. Structure and Purpose › 27-11-2-2. Representative Form of Government

Sec. 2. A society has a representative form of government if it meets all of the following conditions:
(1) It has a supreme governing body constituted in one (1) of the following ways:
(A) 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 a majority of the votes and not less than the number of votes required to amend the society's laws. The assembly shall meet at least once every four (4) 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.
(B) 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 member may not exceed four (4) years. Vacancies on the board between elections may be filled in the manner prescribed by the society's laws. Those persons elected to the board 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 is considered to be an elected member. The board shall meet at least quarterly to conduct the business of the society.
(2) The officers of the society are elected either by the supreme governing body or by the board of directors.
(3) Only benefit members are eligible for election to the supreme governing body, the board of directors, or any intermediate assembly.
(4) Each voting member shall have one (1) vote and no vote may be cast by proxy.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 2. Structure and Purpose › 27-11-2-3. Operation for Benefit of Members and Beneficiaries

Sec. 3. A society shall operate for the benefit of members and their beneficiaries by:
(1) providing benefits as specified in IC 27-11-6-1; and
(2) operating for one (1) or more social, intellectual, educational, charitable, benevolent, moral, fraternal, patriotic, or religious purposes for the benefit of its members that may also be extended to others. These purposes may be carried out directly by the society, or indirectly through subsidiary corporations or affiliated organizations.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 2. Structure and Purpose › 27-11-2-4. Laws and Rules; Necessary and Incidental Powers

Sec. 4. Every society may adopt laws and rules for the government of the society, the admission of its members, and the management of its affairs. It may change, alter, add to, or amend such laws and rules. It shall have such other powers as are necessary and incidental to effect the objectives and purposes of the society.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 3. Membership › 27-11-3-1. Eligibility Standards; Admission Process; Rights and Privileges of Members; Social Members

Sec. 1. (a) A society shall specify in its laws or rules:
(1) eligibility standards for each and every class of membership, provided that if benefits are provided on the lives of children, the minimum age for adult membership shall be set at not less than age fifteen (15) and not greater than age twenty-one (21);
(2) the process for admission to each membership class; and
(3) the rights and privileges of each membership class, provided that only benefit members shall have the right to vote on the management of the insurance affairs of the society.
(b) A society may also admit social members who have no voice or vote in the management of the insurance affairs of the society.
(c) Membership rights in the society are personal to the member and are not assignable.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 3. Membership › 27-11-3-2. Location of Principal Office; Meetings; Official Publication; Synopsis of Annual Statement; Grievance Procedures

Sec. 2. (a) The principal office of any domestic society shall be located in this state. The meetings of its supreme governing body may be held in any state, district, province, or territory where the society has at least one (1) subordinate lodge, or in another location as determined by the supreme governing body, and all business transacted at the meetings shall be as valid in all respects as if the meetings were held in this state. The minutes of the proceedings of the supreme governing body and of the board of directors must be in the English language.
(b) A society may provide in its laws for an official publication in which any notice, report, or statement required by law to be given to members, including notice of election, may be published. Such required reports, notices, and statements shall be printed conspicuously in the publication. If the records of a society show that two (2) or more members have the same mailing address, an official publication mailed to one (1) member is deemed to be mailed to all members at the same address unless a member requests a separate copy.
(c) Not later than June 1 of each year, a synopsis of the society's annual statement providing an explanation of the facts concerning the condition of the society shall be printed and mailed to each benefit member of the society or, instead, the synopsis may be published in the society's official publication.
(d) A society may provide in its laws or rules for grievance or complaint procedures for members.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 3. Membership › 27-11-3-4. Waiver of Provisions of Laws of the Society

Sec. 4. The laws of the society may provide that no subordinate body nor any of its subordinate officers or members shall have the power or authority to waive any of the provisions of the laws of the society. The provision shall be binding on the society and every member and beneficiary of a member.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 4. Organization › 27-11-4-2. Organization of Fraternal Benefit Society; Articles of Incorporation

Sec. 2. Seven (7) or more citizens of the United States, a majority of whom are citizens of this state, who desire to form a fraternal benefit society, may make, sign, and acknowledge before some officer competent to take acknowledgment of deeds and articles of incorporation. The article of incorporation must state the following:
(1) The proposed corporate name of the society, which must not resemble the name of any society or insurance company as to be misleading or confusing.
(2) The purposes for which it is being formed and the mode in which its corporate powers are to be exercised. Such purposes may not include more liberal powers than are granted by this article.
(3) The names and residences of the incorporators and the names, residences, and official titles of all the officers, trustees, directors, or other persons who are to have and exercise the general control of the management of the affairs and funds of the society for the first year or until the ensuing election at which all such officers shall be elected by the supreme governing body, which election shall be held not later than one (1) year from the date of issuance of the permanent certificate of authority.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 4. Organization › 27-11-4-3. Filing of Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and Rules, Forms of Certificates, Circulars, and Bond

Sec. 3. Articles of incorporation, certified copies of the society's bylaws and rules, copies of all proposed forms of certificates, applications therefor, circulars to be issued by the society, and a bond conditioned upon the return to applicants of the advanced payments if the organization is not completed within one (1) year shall be filed with the commissioner, who may require further information as the commissioner considers necessary. The bond with sureties approved by the commissioner shall be not less than three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) nor more than one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000), as required by the commissioner. All documents filed are to be in the English language. If the purposes of the society conform to the requirements of this article and all provisions of the law have been complied with, the commissioner shall certify, retain, and file the articles of incorporation and furnish the incorporators a preliminary certificate of authority authorizing the society to solicit members as provided in this chapter.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 4. Organization › 27-11-4-4. Preliminary Certificate of Authority; Expiration; Extension

Sec. 4. No preliminary certificate of authority granted under this section shall be valid after one (1) year from its date or after a further period, not exceeding one (1) year, as may be authorized by the commissioner upon cause shown, unless the five hundred (500) applicants required in this chapter have been secured and the organization has been completed as provided. The articles of incorporation and all other proceedings under the articles of incorporation shall become null and void in one (1) year from the date of the preliminary certificate of authority or at the expiration of the extended period, unless the society has completed its organization and received a certificate of authority to do business in Indiana.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.136-2018, SEC.200.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 4. Organization › 27-11-4-5. Solicitation of Members; Liabilities Incurred Upon Receipt of Preliminary Certificate

Sec. 5. Upon receipt of a preliminary certificate of authority from the commissioner, the society may solicit members for the purpose of completing its organization, shall collect from each applicant the amount of not less than one (1) regular monthly premium in accordance with its table of rates, and shall issue to each applicant a receipt for the amount collected. No society shall incur any liability other than for the return of the advance premium, nor issue any certificate, nor pay, allow, or offer or promise to pay or allow any benefit to any person until:
(1) actual bona fide applications for benefits have been secured on not less than five hundred (500) applicants, and any necessary evidence of insurability has been furnished to and approved by the society;
(2) at least ten (10) subordinate lodges have been established into which the five hundred (500) applicants have been admitted;
(3) there has been submitted to the commissioner, under oath of the president or secretary, or corresponding officer of the society, a list of the applicants, giving their names, addresses, date each was admitted, name and number of the subordinate lodge of which each applicant is a member, amount of benefits to be granted, and premiums therefor; and
(4) it shall have been shown to the commissioner, by sworn statement of the treasurer, or corresponding officer of such society, that at least five hundred (500) applicants have each paid in cash at least one (1) regular monthly premium, which premiums in the aggregate amount to at least one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000). The advance premiums shall be held in trust during the period of organization and, if the society has not qualified for a certificate of authority within one (1) year as provided in this chapter, the premiums shall be returned to the applicants.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 4. Organization › 27-11-4-6. Certificate of Authority

Sec. 6. The commissioner may make an examination and require any further information as the commissioner considers advisable. Upon presentation of satisfactory evidence that the society has complied with all the provisions of law, the commissioner shall issue to the society a certificate of authority authorizing the society to transact business under this article. The certificate of authority is prima facie evidence of the existence of the society at the date of the certificate. The commissioner shall cause a record of the certificate of authority to be made. A certified copy of the record may be given in evidence with like effect as the original certificate of authority.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 5. Governance › 27-11-5-1. Amendment of Laws of Domestic Society

Sec. 1. (a) A domestic society may amend its laws in accordance with the provisions of the domestic society by action of its supreme governing body at any regular or special meeting of the domestic society or, if its laws provide, by referendum. The referendum may be held in accordance with the provisions of its 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. A society may provide for voting by mail. No amendment submitted for adoption by referendum shall be adopted unless, within six (6) months from the date of submission of the amendment, a majority of the members voting shall have signified their consent to the amendment.
(b) No amendment to the laws of any domestic society shall take effect unless approved by the commissioner, who shall approve the amendment if the commissioner finds that it has been duly adopted and is not inconsistent with any requirement of the laws of this state or with the character, objects, and purposes of the society. Unless the commissioner disapproves any amendment within sixty (60) days after the filing of the amendment, the 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 the commissioner disapproves the amendment, the reasons for the disapproval shall be stated in the written notice.
(c) Within ninety (90) days from the approval of an amendment by the commissioner, 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 publication of the society. The affidavit of any officer of the society or of anyone authorized by it to mail any amendments or synopsis of the amendments stating facts that show that the amendments have been duly addressed and mailed, is prima facie evidence that the amendments or synopsis of the amendments have been furnished the addressee.
(d) Every foreign or alien society authorized to do business in this state shall file with the commissioner a duly certified copy of all amendments of, or additions to, its laws within ninety (90) days after the enactment of same.
(e) Printed copies of the laws as amended, certified by the secretary or corresponding officer of the society, shall be prima facie evidence of the legal adoption thereof.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 5. Governance › 27-11-5-2. Operation of Not-for-Profit Institutions

Sec. 2. A society may create, maintain, and operate or may establish organizations to operate not-for-profit institutions to further the purposes permitted by IC 27-11-2-3. Such institutions may furnish services free or at a reasonable charge. Any real or personal property owned, held, or leased by the society for this purpose shall be reported in every annual statement.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 5. Governance › 27-11-5-3. Reinsurance Agreements

Sec. 3. (a) A domestic society may by a reinsurance agreement cede any individual risk or risks in whole or in part to an insurer (other than another fraternal benefit society) having the power to make the reinsurance and authorized to do business in this state or, if not so authorized, one that is approved by the commissioner, but no society may reinsure substantially all of its insurance in force without the written permission of the commissioner. It may take credit for the reserves on the ceded risks to the extent reinsured, but no credit shall be allowed as an admitted asset or as a deduction from liability to a ceding society for reinsurance made, ceded, renewed, or otherwise becoming effective after December 31, 1985, unless the reinsurance is payable by the assuming insurer on the basis of the liability of the ceding society under the contract or contracts reinsured without diminution because of the insolvency of the ceding society.
(b) Notwithstanding the limitation in subsection (a), a society may reinsure the risks of another society in a consolidation or merger approved by the commissioner under section 4 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 5. Governance › 27-11-5-5. Conversion and Licensing as Mutual Life Insurance Company

Sec. 5. Any domestic fraternal benefit society may be converted and licensed as a mutual life insurance company by compliance with all the requirements of the insurance law for mutual life insurance companies. A plan of conversion shall be prepared in writing by the board of directors setting forth in full the terms and conditions of conversion. The affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of all members of the supreme governing body at a regular or special meeting shall be necessary for the approval of the plan. No conversion shall take effect unless and until approved by the commissioner, who may give the approval if the commissioner finds that the proposed change is in conformity with the requirements of law and not prejudicial to the certificate holders of the society.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 6. Contractual Benefits › 27-11-6-1. Contractual Benefits

Sec. 1. (a) A society may provide the following contractual benefits in any form:
(1) Death benefits.
(2) Endowment benefits.
(3) Annuity benefits.
(4) Temporary or permanent disability benefits.
(5) Hospital, medical, or nursing benefits.
(6) Monument or tombstone benefits to the memory of deceased members.
(7) Such other benefits as authorized for life insurers and that are not inconsistent with this chapter.
(b) A society shall specify in its rules those persons who may be issued or covered by the contractual benefits in subsection (a), consistent with providing benefits to members and their dependents. A society may provide benefits on the lives of children under the minimum age for adult membership upon application of an adult person.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 6. Contractual Benefits › 27-11-6-2. Beneficiaries of Benefit Contracts; Funeral Benefits; Failure to Designate Lawful Beneficiary

Sec. 2. (a) The owner of a benefit contract is entitled to change the beneficiary or beneficiaries in accordance with the laws or rules of the society unless the owner waives this right by specifically requesting in writing that the beneficiary designation be irrevocable. A society may, through its laws or rules, limit the scope of beneficiary designations and shall provide that no revocable beneficiary shall have or obtain any vested interest in the proceeds of any certificate until the certificate has become due and payable in conformity with the provisions of the benefit contract.
(b) A society may make provision for the payment of funeral benefits to the extent of such portion of any payment under a certificate as might reasonably appear to be due to any person equitably entitled thereto by reason of having incurred expense occasioned by the burial of the member.
(c) If at the death of any person insured under a benefit contract there is no lawful beneficiary to whom the proceeds shall be payable, the amount of the benefit, except to the extent that funeral benefits may be paid, shall be payable to the personal representative of the deceased insured, provided that if the owner of the certificate is other than the insured, the proceeds shall be payable to such owner.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 6. Contractual Benefits › 27-11-6-3. Limitation on Use of Benefits to Pay Debts or Liabilities of Members, Beneficiaries, or Other Persons

Sec. 3. No money or other benefit, charity, relief, or aid to be paid, provided, or rendered by any society shall be liable to attachment, garnishment, or other process or to be seized, taken, appropriated, or applied by any legal or equitable process or operation of law to pay any debt or liability of a member, beneficiary, or any other person who may have a right thereunder, either before or after payment by the society.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 6. Contractual Benefits › 27-11-6-4. Issuance of Certificate to Owner of Benefit Contract

Sec. 4. Every society authorized to do business in this state shall issue to each owner of a benefit contract a certificate specifying the amount of benefits provided. The certificate, together with any riders or endorsements attached to the certificate, the laws of the society, the application for membership, the application for insurance and declaration of insurability, if any, signed by the applicant, and all amendments to each constitutes the benefit contract as of the date of issuance between the society and the owner, and the certificate shall so state. A copy of the application for insurance and declaration of insurability, if any, shall be endorsed upon or attached to the certificate. All statements on the application shall be representations and not warranties. Any waiver of this provision shall be void.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 6. Contractual Benefits › 27-11-6-5. Effect of Changes, Additions, or Amendments to Laws of Society Upon Owner and Beneficiaries of Benefit Contract

Sec. 5. Any changes, additions, or amendments to the laws of the society duly made or enacted subsequent to the issuance of the certificate shall bind the owner and the beneficiaries and shall govern and control the benefit contract in all respects as though the changes, additions, or amendments had been made before and were in force at the time of the application for insurance, except that no change, addition, or amendment shall destroy or diminish benefits that the society contracted to give the owner as of the date of issuance.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 6. Contractual Benefits › 27-11-6-6. Issuance of Benefit Contract Upon Life of a Minor

Sec. 6. Any person upon whose life a benefit contract is issued before attaining the age of majority shall be bound by the terms of the application and certificate and by all the laws and rules of the society to the same extent as though the age of majority had been attained at the time of application.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 6. Contractual Benefits › 27-11-6-7. Payment of Owner's Equitable Proportion of Deficiency Where Society's Reserves Are Impaired

Sec. 7. A society shall provide in its laws that if its reserves as to all or any class of certificates become impaired its board of directors or corresponding body may require that there shall be paid by the owner to the society the amount of the owner's equitable proportion of such deficiency as ascertained by its board, and that, if the payment is not made, either:
(1) it shall stand as an indebtedness against the certificate and draw interest not to exceed the rate specified for certificate loans under the certificates; or
(2) instead of or in combination with subdivision (1), the owner may accept a proportionate reduction in benefits under the certificate.
The society may specify the manner of the election and which alternative is to be presumed if no election is made.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 6. Contractual Benefits › 27-11-6-8. Copies of Documents as Evidence of Terms and Conditions

Sec. 8. Copies of any of the documents mentioned in this chapter, certified by the secretary or corresponding officer of the society, shall be received in evidence of the terms and conditions thereof.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 6. Contractual Benefits › 27-11-6-9. Filing of Copy of Certificate With Commissioner; Contents of Certificate

Sec. 9. A certificate shall not be delivered or issued for delivery in Indiana unless a copy of the form has been filed with the commissioner in the manner provided for like policies issued by life insurers in Indiana. Every life, accident, health, or disability insurance certificate and every annuity certificate issued after December 31, 1986, shall meet the standard contract provision requirements not inconsistent with this chapter for like policies issued by life insurers in this state, except that a society may provide for a grace period for payment of premiums of one (1) full month in its certificate. The certificate shall also contain a provision stating the amount of premiums that are payable under the certificate and a provision reciting or setting forth the substance of any sections of the society's laws or rules in force at the time of issuance of the certificate that, if violated, will result in the termination or reduction of benefits payable under the certificate. If the laws of the society provide for expulsion or suspension of a member, the certificate shall also contain a provision that any member so expelled or suspended, except for nonpayment of a premium or within the contestable period for material misrepresentation in the application for membership or insurance, shall have the privilege of maintaining the certificate in force by continuing payment of the required premium.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.2-1995, SEC.110.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 6. Contractual Benefits › 27-11-6-10. Benefit Contract Issued on Life of a Minor; Transfer of Control of Ownership to the Insured

Sec. 10. Benefit contracts issued on the lives of persons below the society's minimum age for adult membership may provide for transfer of control of ownership to the insured at an age specified in the certificate. A society may require approval of an application for membership in order to effect this transfer and may provide in all other respects for the regulation, government, and control of certificates and all rights, obligations, and liabilities incident to a benefit contract. Ownership rights before a transfer shall be specified in the certificate.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 6. Contractual Benefits › 27-11-6-12. Cash Surrender Value, Loans, or Other Options

Sec. 12. (a) For certificates issued before January 1, 1987, the value of every paid-up nonforfeiture benefit and the amount of any cash surrender value, loan, or other option granted shall comply with the provisions of law applicable on December 31, 1985.
(b) For certificates issued after December 31, 1986, for which reserves are computed on the Commissioner's 1941 Standard Ordinary Mortality Table, the Commissioner's 1941 Standard Industrial Table, the Commissioner's 1958 Standard Ordinary Mortality Table, the Commissioner's 1980 Standard Mortality Table, the Commissioner's 2017 Standard Mortality Table, or any more recent table made applicable to life insurers and approved by the commissioner in rules adopted under IC 4-22-2, every paid-up nonforfeiture benefit and the amount of any cash surrender value, loan, or other option granted shall not be less than the corresponding amount ascertained in accordance with the laws of this state applicable to life insurers issuing policies containing like benefits based upon the tables.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.124-2018, SEC.85.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 7. Financial Matters › 27-11-7-1. Investments

Sec. 1. A society shall invest its funds only in such investments as are authorized by the laws of this state for the investment of assets of life insurers and subject to the limitations thereon. Any foreign or alien society permitted or seeking to do business in this state that invests its funds in accordance with the laws of the state, district, territory, country, or province in which it is incorporated shall be held to meet the requirements of this section for the investment of funds.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 7. Financial Matters › 27-11-7-2. Financial Affairs of Fraternal Benefit Societies

Sec. 2. (a) All assets 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 in the assets or become entitled to any apportionment on the surrender of any part of the assets, except as provided in the benefit contract.
(b) A society may create, maintain, invest, disburse, and apply any special fund or funds necessary to carry out any purpose permitted by the laws of the society.
(c) A society may, pursuant to resolution of its supreme governing body, establish and operate one (1) or more separate accounts and issue contracts on a variable basis, subject to the provisions of law regulating life insurers establishing accounts and issuing contracts. To the extent the society considers it necessary in order to comply with any applicable federal or state laws or any rules issued under the applicable federal or state laws, the society may:
(1) adopt special procedures for the conduct of the business and affairs of a separate account;
(2) for persons having beneficial interest in the account, provide special voting and other rights, including without limitation special rights and procedures relating to investment policy, investment advisory services, selection of certified public accountants, and selection of a committee to manage the business and affairs of the account; and
(3) issue contracts on a variable basis to which IC 27-11-6-5 and IC 27-11-6-7 shall not apply.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.136-2018, SEC.202.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 7. Financial Matters › 27-11-7-3. Law Governing Financial Matters

Sec. 3. Except as provided in this article, societies shall be governed by this article and by IC 27-1-2, IC 27-1-3, and IC 27-9, and shall be exempt from all other provisions of this title unless they be expressly designated in this title or unless it is specifically made applicable by this article.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.136-2018, SEC.203.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 7. Financial Matters › 27-11-7-4. Designation as Charitable or Benevolent Institution

Sec. 4. Every society organized or licensed under this article is declared to be a charitable and benevolent institution, and all of its funds shall be exempt from all and every state, county, district, municipal, and school tax other than taxes on real estate not occupied by a society in carrying on its business.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 8. Regulation › 27-11-8-1. Standards for Valuation of Certificates; Maintenance of Excess Reserves on Certificates

Sec. 1. (a) Standards of valuation for certificates issued before January 1, 1987, shall be those provided by the laws applicable on December 31, 1985.
(b) The minimum standards of valuation for certificates issued after December 31, 1986, shall be based on the following tables:
(1) For certificates of life insurance─the Commissioner's 1941 Standard Ordinary Mortality Table, the Commissioner's 1941 Standard Industrial Mortality Table, the Commissioner's 1958 Standard Ordinary Mortality Table, the Commissioner's 1980 Standard Ordinary Mortality Table, the Commissioner's 2017 Standard Mortality Table, or any more recent table made applicable to life insurers and approved by the commissioner in rules adopted under IC 4-22-2.
(2) For annuity and pure endowment certificates, total and permanent disability benefits, accidental death benefits, and noncancellable accident and health benefits─such tables as are authorized for use by life insurers in this state.
(c) All of the above shall be under valuation methods and standards (including interest assumptions) in accordance with the laws of this state applicable to life insurers issuing policies containing like benefits.
(d) The commissioner may accept other standards for valuation if the commissioner finds that the reserves produced will not be less in the aggregate than reserves computed in accordance with the minimum valuation standard prescribed in this section. The commissioner may vary the standards of mortality applicable to all benefit contracts on substandard lives or other extra hazardous lives by any society authorized to do business in this state.
(e) Any society, with the consent of the commissioner of the state of domicile of the society and under the conditions, if any, that the commissioner may impose, may establish and maintain reserves on its certificates in excess of the reserves required thereunder, but the contractual rights of any benefit member shall not be affected thereby.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.124-2018, SEC.86.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 8. Regulation › 27-11-8-2. Annual Financial Statement

Sec. 2. (a) Reports shall be filed in accordance with this section.
(b) Every society transacting business in this state shall annually, before March 1, unless for cause shown the time has been extended by the commissioner:
(1) file with the commissioner:
(A) a true statement of its financial condition, transactions, and affairs for the preceding calendar year on the Annual Statement Blank for fraternal benefit societies; and
(B) any additional information required by the commissioner; and
(2) pay a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) for filing the statement.
(c) As part of the annual statement required in this section, each society shall, before March 1, file with the commissioner a valuation of its certificates in force on December 31 last preceding, provided the commissioner may for cause shown, extend the time for filing the valuation for not more than two (2) calendar months. The valuation shall be done in accordance with the standards specified in section 1 of this chapter. The valuation and underlying data shall be certified by a qualified actuary or, at the expense of the society, verified by the actuary of the department of insurance of the state of domicile of the society.
(d) A society neglecting to file the annual statement in the form and within the time provided by this section shall forfeit one hundred dollars ($100) for each day during which the neglect continues, and, upon notice by the commissioner to that effect, its authority to do business in Indiana shall cease while the default continues.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.31-1988, SEC.24; P.L.124-2018, SEC.87.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 8. Regulation › 27-11-8-3. Renewal of License; Fee

Sec. 3. The authority of all societies licensed may be renewed annually, but in all cases to terminate on April 30. However, a license shall continue in full force and effect until the new license is issued or specifically refused. For each license or renewal, the society shall pay the commissioner a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25). A duly certified copy or duplicate of the license is prima facie evidence that the licensee is a fraternal benefit society within the meaning of this article.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.31-1988, SEC.25.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 8. Regulation › 27-11-8-4. Examination of Societies Transacting or Applying for Admission to Transact Business in Indiana; Expenses

Sec. 4. (a) The commissioner or any person the commissioner may appoint may examine any domestic, foreign, or alien society transacting or applying for admission to transact business in Indiana in the same manner as authorized for examination of domestic, foreign, or alien insurers. Requirements of notice and an opportunity to respond before findings are made public as provided in the laws regulating insurers shall also be applicable to the examination of societies.
(b) The expense of each examination and of each valuation, including compensation and actual expense of examiners, shall be paid by the society examined or whose certificates are valued, upon statements furnished by the commissioner.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 8. Regulation › 27-11-8-5. Requirements for Issuance of License to Transact Business in Indiana

Sec. 5. No foreign or alien society shall transact business in Indiana without a license issued by the commissioner. Any society desiring admission to Indiana shall comply substantially with the requirements and limitations of this article applicable to domestic societies. Any society may be licensed to transact business in Indiana upon filing with the commissioner:
(1) a certified copy of its articles of incorporation;
(2) a copy of its bylaws, certified by its secretary or corresponding officer;
(3) a power of attorney to the commissioner as prescribed in IC 27-11-9-1;
(4) a statement of its business under oath of its president and secretary or corresponding officers in a form prescribed by the commissioner, verified by an examination made by the supervising insurance official of its home state or other state, territory, province, or country and satisfactory to the commissioner;
(5) certification from the proper official of its home state, territory, province, or country that the society is legally incorporated and licensed to transact business in that state, territory, province, or country;
(6) copies of its certificate forms; and
(7) such other information as the commissioner considers necessary;
and upon a showing that its assets are invested in accordance with this chapter.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.136-2018, SEC.204.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 8. Regulation › 27-11-8-7. Noncompliance by Foreign or Alien Society; Suspension, Revocation, or Refusal of License

Sec. 7. (a) When the commissioner upon investigation finds that a foreign or alien society transacting or applying to transact business in Indiana:
(1) has exceeded its powers;
(2) has failed to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter;
(3) is not fulfilling its contracts in good faith; or
(4) is conducting its business fraudulently or in a manner hazardous to its members or creditors or the public;
the commissioner shall in writing notify the society of the deficiency or deficiencies, state the reasons for the commissioner's dissatisfaction, and require that the deficiency or deficiencies that exist be corrected.
(b) After the notice, the society shall have thirty (30) days in which to comply with the commissioner's request for correction, and, if the society fails to comply, the commissioner shall notify the society of the findings of noncompliance and require the society to show cause on a date named why its license should not be suspended, revoked, or refused. If on that date the society does not present good and sufficient reason why its authority to do business in Indiana should not be suspended, revoked, or refused, the commissioner may suspend or refuse the license of the society to do business in Indiana until satisfactory evidence is furnished to the commissioner that the suspension or refusal should be withdrawn, or the commissioner may revoke the authority of the society to do business in Indiana.
(c) Nothing contained in this section shall be taken or construed as preventing any society from continuing in good faith all contracts made in Indiana during the time the society was legally authorized to transact business in Indiana.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 8. Regulation › 27-11-8-8. Application or Petition for Injunction

Sec. 8. No application or petition for injunction against any domestic, foreign, or alien society, or lodge shall be recognized in any court of Indiana unless made by the attorney general upon request of the commissioner.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 8. Regulation › 27-11-8-9. Licensing of Insurance Producers of Societies

Sec. 9. (a) Insurance producers of societies shall be licensed in accordance with the laws regulating the licensing and the revocation, suspension, or termination of license of resident and nonresident insurance producers.
(b) No examination or license shall be required of any regular salaried officer, employee, or member of a licensed society who devotes substantially all of the officer's, employee's or member's services to activities other than the solicitation of fraternal insurance contracts from the public and who receives for the solicitation of those contracts no commission or other compensation directly dependent upon the amount of business obtained.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.178-2003, SEC.83.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 8. Regulation › 27-11-8-10. Unfair Competition; Unfair or Deceptive Acts or Practices

Sec. 10. Every society authorized to do business in Indiana shall be subject to IC 27-4-1 relating to unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices, provided that nothing in those provisions shall be construed as applying to or affecting the right of any society to determine its eligibility requirements for membership or be construed as applying to or affecting the offering of benefits exclusively to members or persons eligible for membership in the society by a subsidiary corporation or affiliated organization of the society.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 9. Miscellaneous Provisions › 27-11-9-1. Appointment of Attorney for Service of Process; Method of Serving Process

Sec. 1. (a) Every society authorized to do business in Indiana shall appoint in writing an individual resident of Indiana, a corporate resident of Indiana, or an authorized Indiana insurer to be its true and lawful attorney upon whom all lawful process in any action or proceeding against it shall be served and shall agree in such writing that:
(1) any lawful process against it that is served on the attorney shall be of the same legal force and validity as if served upon the society; and
(2) the authority shall continue in force so long as any liability remains outstanding in this state.
Copies of the appointment, certified by the commissioner, shall be considered sufficient evidence thereof and shall be admitted in evidence with the same force and effect as the original might be admitted.
(b) Service shall only be made upon the attorney or, if absent, upon the person in charge of the attorney's office. It shall be made in duplicate and shall constitute sufficient service upon the society. When legal process against a society is served upon the attorney, the attorney shall immediately forward one (1) of the duplicate copies by registered mail, prepaid, directed to the secretary or corresponding officer. No service shall require a society to file its answer, pleading, or defense in less than thirty (30) days from the date of mailing the copy of the service to a society. Legal process shall not be served upon a society except in the manner provided in this section.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.130-1994, SEC.48; P.L.116-1994, SEC.71; P.L.268-1999, SEC.21.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 9. Miscellaneous Provisions › 27-11-9-2. Judicial Review of Decisions and Findings of Commissioner

Sec. 2. All decisions and findings of the commissioner made under this article shall be subject to review by proper proceedings in any court of competent jurisdiction in this state.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 27. Insurance › Article 11. Fraternal Benefit Societies › Chapter 9. Miscellaneous Provisions › 27-11-9-3. Violations

Sec. 3. (a) A person who knowingly makes any false or fraudulent statement or representation in or with reference to any application for membership or for the purpose of obtaining money from or benefits in any society transacting business under this chapter, commits a Class A misdemeanor.
(b) A person who solicits membership for any fraternal beneficiary association not licensed to do business in Indiana, or for any society not authorized to do business in Indiana, commits a Class C infraction.
(c) Any person who knowingly violates, neglects, or refuses to comply with a provision of this article for which a penalty is not otherwise prescribed commits a Class B misdemeanor.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1.