Fraternal Benefit Societies

Umsted, Deputy Attorney General,

You have inquired if a domestic fraternal benefit society may provide in its bylaws for the retention of the benefits provided for in its certificates by persons who have been excluded from social membership in the fraternity. You also ask if a like provision in the bylaws of a foreign fraternal benefit society, operating in Pennsylvania, must be recognized as effective in this State.

The Fraternal Benefit Societies Act of July 17,1935, P. L. 1092, as amended, 40 PS §1051, et seq., authorizes the incorporation of domestic fraternal benefit societies *700and…