SENATE DOCKET, NO. 929        FILED ON: 1/18/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2017

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Jason M. Lewis

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to nonprofit remote voting.

_______________

PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 929        FILED ON: 1/18/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2017

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

_______________

An Act relative to nonprofit remote voting.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1: Section 6A of said chapter 180 of the General Laws, as so amended, is hereby further amended by adding the following paragraph:

Unless otherwise provided in the articles of organization or bylaws, if authorized by the board of directors: any annual, regular, or special meeting of members may be held at physical place, by means of remote communication, or by a hybrid model with both a physical place and by means of remote communication; and subject to the articles and bylaws or such guidelines and procedures as the board of directors may adopt, members not physically present at a meeting of members may, by means of remote communications:

(1) participate in a meeting of members; and

(2) be deemed present in person and vote at a meeting of members whether such meeting is to be held at designated place, by means of remote communication, or by a hybrid model, provided that:

(i) the corporation shall implement reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a member;

(ii) the corporation shall implement reasonable measures to provide such members a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the members, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings; and

(iii) if any member votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of such vote or other action shall be maintained by the corporation