reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-25 - Rhode Island Fraternal Code › Section 27-25-5. - Purposes and powers.

§ 27-25-5. Purposes and powers.
(a)
A society shall operate for the benefit of members and their beneficiaries by:
(1)
Providing benefits as specified in § 27-25-16; and
(2)(i)
Operating for one or more social, intellectual, educational, charitable, benevolent, moral, fraternal, patriotic, or religious purposes for the benefit of its members, which may also be extended to others;
(ii)
These purposes may be carried out directly by the society, or indirectly through subsidiary corporations or affiliate organizations.
(b)
Every society shall have the power to adopt laws and rules for the government of the society, the admission of its members, and the management of its affairs. It shall have the power to change, alter, add to, or amend those laws and rules, and shall have any other powers as are necessary and incidental to carrying into effect the objects and purposes of the society.
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 201, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-25 - Rhode Island Fraternal Code › Section 27-25-6. - Qualifications for membership.

§ 27-25-6. Qualifications for membership.
(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 membership for 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 shall 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.
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 201, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-25 - Rhode Island Fraternal Code › Section 27-25-7. - Location of office and meetings — Communications to members — Grievance procedures.

§ 27-25-7. Location of office and meetings — Communications to members — Grievance procedures.
(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 in which the society has at least one subordinate lodge, or in any other location 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 shall 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. The 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 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 disclosed in the statement shall be printed and mailed to each benefit member of the society or, in lieu of that, 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.
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 201, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-25 - Rhode Island Fraternal Code › Section 27-25-9. - Waiver.

§ 27-25-9. Waiver.
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. That provision shall be binding on the society and every member and beneficiary of a member.
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 201, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-25 - Rhode Island Fraternal Code › Section 27-25-11. - Amendments to laws.

§ 27-25-11. Amendments to laws.
(a)
A domestic society may amend its laws in accordance with the provisions of those laws, by action of its supreme governing body at any regular or special meeting of that body or, if its laws provide, by referendum. A referendum may be held in accordance with the provisions of the domestic society’s 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, a majority of the members voting shall have signified their consent to the amendment by one of the methods specified in this section.
(b)
No amendment to the laws of any domestic society shall take effect unless approved by the commissioner of insurance 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 the state or with the character, objects, and purposes of the society. Unless the commissioner of insurance shall disapprove an amendment within sixty (60) days after the filing of the amendment, it shall be considered approved. The approval or disapproval of the commissioner of insurance 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 shall be stated in the written notice.
(c)
Within ninety (90) days from the approval by the commissioner of insurance, all amendments, or a synopsis of the amendments, shall be furnished to all of the 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, stating facts that show that the amendments or a synopsis have been duly addressed and mailed, shall be prima facie evidence that the amendments or synopsis have been furnished to the addressee.
(d)
Every foreign or alien society authorized to do business in this state shall file with the commissioner of insurance a duly certified copy of all amendments of, or additions to, its laws within ninety (90) days after their enactment.
(e)
Printed copies of the laws, as amended, certified by the secretary or corresponding officer of the society, shall be prima facie evidence of their legal adoption.
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 201, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-25 - Rhode Island Fraternal Code › Section 27-25-12. - Institutions.

§ 27-25-12. Institutions.
A society may create, maintain and operate, or may establish organizations to operate, not for profit institutions to further the purposes permitted by § 27-25-5(a)(2)(i). Those 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.
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 201, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-25 - Rhode Island Fraternal Code › Section 27-25-13. - Reinsurance.

§ 27-25-13. Reinsurance.
(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 reinsurance and authorized to do business in this state, or, if not so authorized, one which is approved by the commissioner of insurance, but no society may reinsure substantially all of its insurance in force without the written permission of the commissioner of insurance. 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, or renewed 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) of this section, a society may reinsure the risks of another society in a consolidation or merger approved by the commissioner of insurance under § 27-25-14.
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 201, § 2; P.L. 2002, ch. 292, § 58.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-25 - Rhode Island Fraternal Code › Section 27-25-15. - Conversion of fraternal benefit society into mutual life insurance company.

§ 27-25-15. Conversion of fraternal benefit society into mutual life insurance company.
Any domestic fraternal benefit society may be converted and licensed as a mutual life insurance company by compliance with all of the requirements of the general laws relating to the financial requirements of 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 (⅔) 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 of insurance, who may give 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.
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 201, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-25 - Rhode Island Fraternal Code › Section 27-25-16. - Benefits.

§ 27-25-16. Benefits.
(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; and
(7)
Any other benefits authorized for life insurers and which 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) of this section, 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.
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 201, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-25 - Rhode Island Fraternal Code › Section 27-25-17. - Beneficiaries.

§ 27-25-17. Beneficiaries.
(a)
The owner of a benefit contract shall have the right at all times 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 is 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 the portion of any payment under a certificate as might reasonably appear to be due to any person equitably entitled to payment by reason of having incurred expense occasioned by the burial of the member, provided the portion so paid shall not exceed the sum of two thousand dollars ($2,000).
(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 as provided in subsection (b) of this section, 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 the owner.
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 201, § 2; P.L. 1998, ch. 441, § 22.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-25 - Rhode Island Fraternal Code › Section 27-25-18. - Benefits not attachable.

§ 27-25-18. Benefits not attachable.
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 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 or beneficiary, or any other person who may have a right under a debt or liability of a member or beneficiary, either before or after payment by the society.
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 201, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-25 - Rhode Island Fraternal Code › Section 27-25-20. - Nonforfeiture benefits, cash surrender values, certificate loans, and other options.

§ 27-25-20. Nonforfeiture benefits, cash surrender values, certificate loans, and other options.
(a)
For certificates issued prior to January 1, 1986, 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 immediately prior to January 1, 1985.
(b)
For certificates issued on or after January 1, 1986, for which reserves are computed on the commissioner’s 1941 standard ordinary mortality table, the commissioner’s 1941 standard industrial table, or the commissioner’s 1958 standard ordinary mortality table, or the commissioner’s 1980 standard mortality table, or any more recent table made applicable to life insurers, 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 life benefits based upon those tables.
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 201, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-25 - Rhode Island Fraternal Code › Section 27-25-21. - Investments.

§ 27-25-21. Investments.
A society shall invest its funds only in those investments authorized by the laws of this state for the investment of assets of life insurers and subject to the limitations on the investments. 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.
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 201, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-25 - Rhode Island Fraternal Code › Section 27-25-22. - Funds.

§ 27-25-22. Funds.
(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 them, 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 or more separate accounts and issue contracts on a variable basis, subject to the provisions of law regulating life insurers establishing those accounts and issuing those contracts. To the extent the society deems it necessary in order to comply with any applicable federal or state laws, or any rules issued under 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 interests in a separate 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 § 27-25-19(b) and (d) shall not apply.
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 201, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-25 - Rhode Island Fraternal Code › Section 27-25-23. - Exemptions.

§ 27-25-23. Exemptions.
Except as provided in this chapter, societies shall be governed by this chapter and are exempt from all other insurance law provisions unless they are expressly designated therein, or unless it is specifically made applicable by this chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 201, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-25 - Rhode Island Fraternal Code › Section 27-25-24. - Taxation.

§ 27-25-24. Taxation.
Every society organized or licensed under this chapter 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 and office equipment.
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 201, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-25 - Rhode Island Fraternal Code › Section 27-25-25. - Valuation.

§ 27-25-25. Valuation.
(a)
Standards of valuation for certificates issued prior to January 1, 1986, shall be those provided by the laws applicable immediately prior to January 1, 1985.
(b)(1)
The minimum standards of valuation for certificates issued on or after January 1, 1986, shall be based on the following tables:
(i)
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, or any more recent table made applicable to life insurers; and
(ii)
For annuity and pure endowment certificates, for total and permanent disability benefits, for accidental death benefits, and for non-cancelable accident and health benefits, these tables authorized for use by life insurers in this state;
(2)
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.
(c)
The commissioner of insurance may, in his or her discretion, 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 of insurance may, in his or her discretion, 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.
(d)
Any society, with the consent of the commissioner of insurance 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 under those conditions, but the contractual rights of any benefit member shall not be affected by the reserves.
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 201, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-25 - Rhode Island Fraternal Code › Section 27-25-26. - Reports.

§ 27-25-26. Reports.
(a)
Reports shall be filed in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(b)
Every society transacting business in this state shall annually, on or before the first day of March, unless for cause shown the time has been extended by the commissioner of insurance, file with the commissioner of insurance a true statement of its financial condition, transactions, and affairs for the preceding calendar year, and pay a fee of one hundred dollars ($100) for filing. The statement shall be in general form and context as approved by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners for fraternal benefit societies and as supplemented by additional information required by the commissioner of insurance.
(c)
As part of the annual statement required in this section, each society shall, on or before the first day of March, file with the commissioner of insurance a valuation of its certificates in force on December 31 last preceding, provided the commissioner of insurance may, in his or her discretion 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 § 27-25-25. 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 of insurance to that effect, its authority to do business in this state shall cease while the default continues.
(e)
A society may be required to file quarterly statements upon request by the insurance commissioner, in accordance with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners guidelines and procedures, due on or before forty-five (45) days after the quarter ending. Annual and quarterly statements shall be available for inspection by the public.
(f)
The insurance commissioner shall also require compliance with chapter 12.1 of this title.
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 201, § 2; P.L. 1987, ch. 252, § 1; P.L. 1993, ch. 138, art. 62, § 10; P.L. 1994, ch. 404, § 12.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-25 - Rhode Island Fraternal Code › Section 27-25-27. - Annual license.

§ 27-25-27. Annual license.
(a)
The authority of all societies shall be continuous unless sooner revoked or suspended as provided in this chapter. For each license the society shall pay the commissioner of insurance one hundred dollars ($100). The society shall pay a license fee of one hundred dollars ($100) annually prior to April 30 of each year. A duly certified copy or duplicate of the license shall be prima facie evidence that the licensee is a fraternal benefit society within the meaning of this chapter.
(b)
The commissioner may assess a late fee of ten dollars ($10.00) per day for each day the society is late in remitting its annual license fee.
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 201, § 2; P.L. 1987, ch. 196, § 1; P.L. 1993, ch. 138, art. 62, § 10; P.L. 1994, ch. 134, § 15; P.L. 2002, ch. 292, § 58.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-25 - Rhode Island Fraternal Code › Section 27-25-28. - Examination of societies — No adverse publication.

§ 27-25-28. Examination of societies — No adverse publication.
(a)
The commissioner of insurance, or any person he or she may appoint, may examine any domestic, foreign, or alien society transacting or applying for admission to transact business in this state in the same manner as authorized for examination of domestic, foreign, or alien insurers.
(b)
The expense of each examination and of each valuation, including compensation and the actual expense of examiners, shall be paid by the society examined or whose certificates are valued in accordance with the laws of this state governing the examination of life insurers.
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 201, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-25 - Rhode Island Fraternal Code › Section 27-25-29. - Foreign or alien society — Admission.

§ 27-25-29. Foreign or alien society — Admission.
No foreign or alien society shall transact business in this state without a license issued by the commissioner of insurance. A society desiring admission to this state shall comply substantially with the requirements and limitations of this chapter applicable to domestic societies. A society may be licensed to transact business in this state upon filing with the commissioner of insurance:
(1)
A duly 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 of insurance as prescribed in § 27-25-35;
(4)
A statement of its business under oath of its president and secretary or corresponding officers in a form prescribed by the commissioner of insurance, duly verified by an examination made by the supervising insurance official of its home state or other state, territory, province, or country, satisfactory to the commissioner of insurance of this state;
(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 its home state, territory, province, or country;
(6)
Copies of its certificate forms;
(7)
A showing that its assets are invested in accordance with the provisions of this chapter; and
(8)
Any other information that the commissioner of insurance may deem necessary.
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 201, § 2; P.L. 1998, ch. 441, § 22.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-25 - Rhode Island Fraternal Code › Section 27-25-31. - Suspension, revocation, or refusal of license of foreign or alien society.

§ 27-25-31. Suspension, revocation, or refusal of license of foreign or alien society.
(a)
When the commissioner of insurance upon investigation finds that a foreign or alien society transacting or applying to transact business in this state: (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 notify the society of the deficiency or deficiencies and state in writing the reasons for his or her dissatisfaction. The commissioner shall at once issue a written notice to the society requiring that the existing deficiency or deficiencies be corrected. After the notice the society shall have a thirty-day (30) period 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 named date 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 this state should not be suspended, revoked, or refused, the commissioner may suspend or refuse the license of the society to do business in this state 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 this state.
(b)
Nothing contained in this section shall be taken or construed as preventing the society from continuing in good faith all contracts made in this state during the time the society was legally authorized to transact business in this state.
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 201, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-25 - Rhode Island Fraternal Code › Section 27-25-32. - Injunction.

§ 27-25-32. Injunction.
No application or petition for injunction against any domestic, foreign, or alien society, or lodge of a society, shall be recognized in any court of this state unless made by the attorney general upon the request of the commissioner of insurance.
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 201, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-25 - Rhode Island Fraternal Code › Section 27-25-33. - Licensing of insurance producers.

§ 27-25-33. Licensing of insurance producers.
(a)
Insurance producers of societies shall be licensed in accordance with the provisions of the laws regulating the licensing, 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 his or her services to activities other than the solicitation of fraternal insurance contracts from the public, and who receives for the solicitation of the contracts no commission or other compensation directly dependent upon the amount of business obtained.
(c)
Any insurance producer, representative, or member of a society who devotes, or intends to devote, less than fifty percent (50%) of his or her time to the solicitation and procurement of insurance contracts for the society or who was in the service of a society on January 1, 1985, shall be exempt from the requirements of subsection (a) of this section. Any person who in the preceding calendar year has solicited and procured life insurance contracts on behalf of any society in an amount of insurance in excess of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) or, in the case of any other kind or kinds of insurance which the society might write, on the persons of more than twenty-five (25) individuals and who has received or will receive a commission or other compensation for those contracts, shall be presumed to be devoting, or intending to devote, fifty percent (50%) of his or her time to the solicitation or procurement of insurance contracts for the society.
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 201, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-25 - Rhode Island Fraternal Code › Section 27-25-34. - Unfair methods of competition and unfair and deceptive acts and practices.

§ 27-25-34. Unfair methods of competition and unfair and deceptive acts and practices.
Every society authorized to do business in this state shall be subject to the laws and regulations of the commissioner of insurance prohibiting unfair trade practices, including laws and regulations concerning discrimination, rebating, and misrepresentation; provided, however, that nothing in the 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.
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 201, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-25 - Rhode Island Fraternal Code › Section 27-25-35. - Service of process.

§ 27-25-35. Service of process.
(a)
Every society authorized to do business in this state shall appoint in writing the commissioner of insurance and each successor in office 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 the writing that any lawful process against it which is served on the attorney shall be of the same legal force and validity as if served upon the society, and that the authority shall continue in force so long as any liability remains outstanding in this state. Copies of the appointment, certified by the commissioner of insurance, shall be deemed sufficient evidence 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 commissioner of insurance, or if absent, upon the person in charge of the commissioner’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 commissioner of insurance, the commissioner shall forward one 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. At the time of serving any process upon the commissioner of insurance, the plaintiff or complainant in the action shall pay to the commissioner of insurance a fee of five dollars ($5.00).
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 201, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-25 - Rhode Island Fraternal Code › Section 27-25-36. - Review.

§ 27-25-36. Review.
All decisions and findings of the commissioner of insurance made under the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to review by proper proceedings in any court of competent jurisdiction in this state.
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 201, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-25 - Rhode Island Fraternal Code › Section 27-25-37. - Penalties.

§ 27-25-37. Penalties.
(a)
Any person who willfully makes a false or fraudulent statement in or relating to an application for membership or for the purpose of obtaining money from or a benefit in any society, shall upon conviction be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500) or imprisonment for not less than thirty (30) days nor more than one year, or both.
(b)
Any person who willfully makes a false or fraudulent statement in any verified report or declaration under oath required or authorized by this chapter, or of any material fact or thing contained in a sworn statement concerning the death or disability of an insured for the purpose of procuring payment of a benefit named in the certificate, shall be guilty of perjury and shall be subject to the penalties prescribed by law.
(c)
Any person who solicits membership for, or in any manner assists in procuring membership in, any society not licensed to do business in this state shall upon conviction be fined not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor more than two hundred dollars ($200).
(d)
Any person guilty of a willful violation of, or neglect or refusal to comply with, the provisions of this chapter for which a penalty is not prescribed, shall upon conviction, be subject to a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500).
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 201, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-25 - Rhode Island Fraternal Code › Section 27-25-39. - Reciprocal fees and charges.

§ 27-25-39. Reciprocal fees and charges.
Whenever by the laws of any other state of the United States any fees, charges, taxes, deposits of money or of securities, or other obligations or prohibitions are imposed on fraternal benefit societies incorporated or organized under the laws of this state or on the agents or insurance producers of fraternal benefit societies, so long as those laws continue in force, the fees, charges, taxes, deposits, and obligations shall be imposed on the fraternal benefit societies doing business in this state that are incorporated or organized under the laws of the other state and on their agents or insurance producers.
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 201, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-25 - Rhode Island Fraternal Code › Section 27-25-40. - Payments of commissions to other than agent or insurance producer forbidden.

§ 27-25-40. Payments of commissions to other than agent or insurance producer forbidden.
No society doing business in this state shall pay any commission or other compensation to any person for any services in obtaining in this state any new contract of life, accident, or health insurance, or any new annuity contract, except to a licensed insurance agent or producer of the society and except an agent or insurance producer exempted from licensing by this chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 201, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-25 - Rhode Island Fraternal Code › Section 27-25-41. - Payment of benefits other than insurance benefits.

§ 27-25-41. Payment of benefits other than insurance benefits.
(a)
A society may pay benefits, other than insurance benefits, to its members from any special account or fund maintained for that purpose; provided, that if the benefits are of a nature that they could constitute benefits within the class of insurance set forth in this chapter, a society making the payments may not:
(1)
Make any separate charge for the payments;
(2)
Issue any certificate, policy, or other document promising the payments;
(3)
Provide in its constitution, laws, or any other document that the payments may be received by the member as a matter of right; or
(4)
Advertise the payments as insurance or as payments to which the member has any right.
(b)
The society shall maintain a separate accounting of all disbursements made under this section and report them in its annual statement.
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 201, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-25 - Rhode Island Fraternal Code › Section 27-25-42. - Severability.

§ 27-25-42. Severability.
If any provision of this chapter or the application of a provision to any circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the chapter or the application of the provision to other circumstances shall not be affected by that invalidity.
History of Section.
P.L. 1984, ch. 201, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-25 - Rhode Island Fraternal Code › Section 27-25-44. - Fraternal benefit society assessment.

§ 27-25-44. Fraternal benefit society assessment.
(a)
Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, each domestic fraternal benefit society shall be charged an assessment to partially support the activities of the division of insurance in the department of business regulation.
(b)
Each society’s assessment shall be determined in accordance with the following ratio: (1) By dividing the society’s total direct premiums, including annuities, less policyholder dividends by total direct premiums, including annuities, less policyholder dividends of all domestic insurance companies plus the total direct premiums of domestic companies licensed or regulated pursuant to chapters 19, 20, 20.1, 20.2, 20.3, 25, and 41 of this title, and chapter 62 of title 42, and then by (2) Multiplying the resulting ratio times two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000).
(c)
The minimum assessment charged shall be the greater of the sum determined by subsection (b) of this section or one thousand dollars ($1,000).
History of Section.
P.L. 1990, ch. 65, art. 29, § 7; P.L. 2002, ch. 292, § 58.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-29 - Unfair Competition and Practices › Section 27-29-1. - Declaration of purpose.

§ 27-29-1. Declaration of purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to regulate trade practices in the business of insurance in accordance with the intent of Congress as expressed in 15 U.S.C. § 1011 et seq., by defining, or providing for the determination of, all trade practices in this state that constitute unfair methods of competition or unfair or deceptive acts or practices, and by prohibiting the trade practices so defined or determined. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to create or imply a private cause of action for a violation of this chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 1958, ch. 53, § 1; P.L. 1993, ch. 180, § 24; P.L. 2011, ch. 363, § 4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-29 - Unfair Competition and Practices › Section 27-29-3. - Prohibited trade practices.

§ 27-29-3. Prohibited trade practices.
No person shall engage in this state in any trade practice which is defined in this chapter as, or determined pursuant to this chapter to be, an unfair method of competition or an unfair or deceptive act or practice in the business of insurance.
History of Section.
P.L. 1958, ch. 53, § 3.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-29 - Unfair Competition and Practices › Section 27-29-4.1. - Cancellation of insurance prohibited.

§ 27-29-4.1. Cancellation of insurance prohibited.
No insurance company authorized to do business in this state shall cancel or refuse to issue any type of insurance coverage for an owner-occupied dwelling or personal property of every nature and description solely because of the area in which the property is situated.
History of Section.
P.L. 1972, ch. 28, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-29 - Unfair Competition and Practices › Section 27-29-4.2. - Penalty.

§ 27-29-4.2. Penalty.
For each violation of § 27-29-4.1, the offending insurance company shall be fined a sum of five hundred dollars ($500) by the department of business regulation.
History of Section.
P.L. 1972, ch. 28, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-29 - Unfair Competition and Practices › Section 27-29-4.3. - Refusal to issue policy due to nonoccupancy.

§ 27-29-4.3. Refusal to issue policy due to nonoccupancy.
No insurance company authorized to do business in this state shall refuse to issue or charge an increased premium for a standard fire insurance policy for an occupied dwelling solely because of the fact that the building has formerly been unoccupied or vacant.
History of Section.
P.L. 1978, ch. 331, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-29 - Unfair Competition and Practices › Section 27-29-4.5. - Penalty.

§ 27-29-4.5. Penalty.
An insurer’s failure to comply with any requirement of § 27-29-4.4, or any rule or regulation promulgated by the department of business regulation shall result in a fine in a sum of up to five thousand dollars ($5,000).
History of Section.
P.L. 2006, ch. 173, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-29 - Unfair Competition and Practices › Section 27-29-4.6. - Reimbursement fee.

§ 27-29-4.6. Reimbursement fee.
The director of the department of business regulation may assess an insurer for reimbursement of the department’s actual expenses for the investigation and hearing of significant auto body shop matters relating to insurers. In addition, an assessment may be sought in the event that an insurer does not prevail after a final judicial appeal.
History of Section.
P.L. 2008, ch. 100, art. 33, § 3.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 27 - Insurance › Chapter 27-29 - Unfair Competition and Practices › Section 27-29-4.7. - Additional unfair methods of competition.

§ 27-29-4.7. Additional unfair methods of competition.
(a)
In addition to those listed in § 27-29-4 the following are also defined as unfair methods of competition and unfair and deceptive acts or practices in the business of insurance:
(1) Twisting.
Knowingly making any misleading representations or incomplete or fraudulent comparisons or fraudulent material omissions of or with respect to any insurance policies or insurers for the purpose of inducing, or tending to induce, any person to lapse, forfeit, surrender, terminate, retain, pledge, assign, borrow on, or convert any insurance policy or to take out a policy of insurance in another insurer.
(2) Churning.
The practice whereby policy values in an existing life insurance policy or annuity contract, including, but not limited to, cash, loan values, or dividend values, and in any riders to that policy or contract, are directly or indirectly used to purchase another insurance policy or annuity contract with that same insurer for the purpose of earning additional premiums, fees, commissions, or other compensation:
(i)
Without an objectively reasonable basis for believing that the replacement or extraction will result in an actual and demonstrable benefit to the policyholder; or
(ii)
In a fashion that is fraudulent, deceptive, or otherwise misleading or that involves a deceptive omission; or
(iii)
When the applicant is not informed that the policy values, including cash values, dividends, and other assets of the existing policy or contract will be reduced, forfeited, or used in the purchase of the replacing or additional policy or contract, if this is the case; or
(iv)
Without informing the applicant that the replacing or additional policy or contract will not be a paid-up policy or that additional premiums will be due or that a new contestable period will apply and explaining the impact of these differences, if this is the case.
(b)
Each insurer shall comply with subsections (a)(2)(iii) and (a)(2)(iv) of this section by disclosing to the applicant at the time of the offer if, how, and the extent to which the policy or contract values (including cash value, dividends, and other assets) of a previously issued policy or contract will be used to purchase a replacing or additional policy or contract with the same insurer. The disclosure must include the premium, the death benefit of the proposed replacing or additional policy, and the date on which the policy values of the existing policy or contract will be insufficient to pay the premiums of the replacing or additional policy or contract.
(c)
Each insurer shall adopt written procedures sufficient to reasonably avoid twisting and churning of policies or contracts that it has issued, and failure to adopt written procedures sufficient to reasonably avoid twisting and churning shall be an unfair method of competition and an unfair or deceptive act or practice.
History of Section.
P.L. 2012, ch. 296, § 2; P.L. 2012, ch. 326, § 2.