2006 Massachusetts Code - Chapter 12 — Section 8E. Charitable corporations; filing of information; exceptions; penalties; enforcement.

Section 8E. Every public charity established, organized or chartered under the laws of the commonwealth or under the laws of any other state, except the American National Red Cross, the Grand Army of the Republic, American Veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam, Vietnam Veterans of America, AMVETS, the United Spanish War Veterans, the American Legion, the disabled American Veterans of the World War, Military Order of the Purple Heart, the Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Veterans of World War I of the U.S.A., and the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, shall, before engaging in charitable work or raising funds in the commonwealth, register with the division by filing a copy of its charter, articles of organization, agreement of association or instrument of trust, and a true copy of its constitution and by-laws, together with such other information as the director may require. Every public charity registered with the division shall also file with the division any amendments to its charter, articles of organization, agreement of association, instrument of trust or constitution, within thirty days after adoption.

If a public charity willfully fails to comply with the requirements of this section, every officer and every agent who authorizes or transacts business on behalf of such public charity in this commonwealth shall be assessed a civil penalty of not more than five hundred dollars. The attorney general may bring an action in the superior court to restrain a public charity from violating this section and to restrain a public charity from transacting any business while such violation continues.