§ 55 — Solicitation of membership in society not authorized to transact business, etc.

Section 55. Whoever solicits membership in any society not duly authorized to transact business in the commonwealth, or, whoever, for a person other than himself, or as an agent, solicitor, organizer, officer or other representative of any such society or of any local or subordinate lodge or branch thereof, acts or aids in any manner in the issue, delivery, negotiation, continuance or renewal of any contract of insurance or benefit certificate in such society, or whoever, as such agent, solicitor, organizer, officer or other representative, acts or aids in any manner in the transaction of any business on behalf of such society or of any local or subordinate lodge or branch thereof, by the collection or transmission of dues or assessments, the calling or holding of meetings, or otherwise, shall be punished by a fine of not less than fifty nor more than five hundred dollars.Whoever, by the means of cards, circulars, letterheads, advertisements, signs or other methods, represents or holds himself out to the public as being an agent, solicitor, organizer, officer or other representative of any such society or of any local or subordinate lodge or branch thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than twenty nor more than one hundred dollars.