§ 17:45-18 — Chapter inapplicable to certain associations and companies

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any corporation, society, or association carrying on the business of life, health or accident insurance for profit or gain or to fraternal beneficiary associations as defined in section 17:39-1 of this Title, nor shall it affect or apply to any supreme, grand or subordinate body of the Ancient Order of Free and Accepted Masons, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Improved Order of Red Men, Junior Order of United American Mechanics, Knights of Pythias, Patriotic Order Sons of America, Patriotic Order of America, Foresters of America, Companions of the Forest of America, Fraternal Order of Beavers, Ladies' Auxiliary, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Italian American War Veterans of the United States, Incorporated, Ordine Figli d'Italia of America, Daughters of America, Sons and Daughters of Liberty, Knights of Columbus, nor to similar orders, nor to any mutual association which admits to membership only members of such exempted societies, orders, or associations, nor to associations formed exclusively of employees of one or more counties, cities, boroughs, towns, townships, villages, or school districts of the State, firemen's relief and patrolmen's benevolent associations, any firemen's or policemen's organization, employees of a designated firm, business house or corporation, nor to plans operated by any hospital or group of hospitals approved by the department of institutions and agencies which offer to subscribers free hospital service when needed. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any mutual benefit association of this State, which admits to membership only persons residing within this State, which restricts membership to persons meeting a test as to religion or nationality established in its constitution and by-laws, which grants no pecuniary remuneration to any person, firm or corporation for the procurement of new members, which pays no commissions for the collection of contributions from members, which holds regular meetings of its members at least 6 times annually, at which members may vote only in person, and all of whose trustees and officers serve without substantial pecuniary remuneration, except that any such association may allow annual stipends aggregating not more than $1,000.00 to its officers who shall be charged with the maintenance of the records of the association and may allow to its officers and trustees such reasonable expenses as may be incurred by them in the discharge of their duties. The provisions of this chapter shall not be construed to confer on the commissioner any right of supervision, any right of investigation or any jurisdiction or authority whatever, with respect to any corporation, society or association exempt therefrom as provided in this section or any subordinate, affiliate, or auxiliary body thereof now in existence or which shall hereafter be created. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to give any department of the State the right to pass upon alleged defects and alleged illegalities in the charters of such exempt corporations, societies or associations, or any subordinate, affiliate or auxiliary body thereof. Amended by L.1965, c. 88, s. 1.