Fraternal Benefit Societies & Trade Unions

Brown, Deputy Attorney General,

Your department has requested an opinion as to whether a fraternal benefit society can predicate continued good standing in the order upon the member’s observance of certain trade union principles.

Fraternal benefit societies are governed by the Act of July 17,1935, P. L. 1092, as amended, 40 PS §1051 et seq. Section 17 provides that the constitution and laws of a society shall be filed with the Insurance Commissioner at the' time of incorporation. A foreign fraternal benefit society which seeks admission to do business in Pennsylvania is examined by your…