1. General rule. An officer of a benefit corporation shall consider the interests and factors described in section 1821, subsection 1 in the manner provided in section 1821, subsection 1 if:
A. The officer has discretion to act with respect to a matter; and [PL 2019, c. 328, §1 (NEW).]
B. It reasonably appears to the officer that the matter may have a material effect on the creation by the benefit corporation of general public benefit or a specific public benefit identified in the articles of incorporation of the benefit corporation. [PL 2019, c. 328, §1 (NEW).]

[PL 2019, c. 328, §1 (NEW).]

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Terms Used In Maine Revised Statutes Title 13-C Sec. 1823

  • Beneficiary: A person who is entitled to receive the benefits or proceeds of a will, trust, insurance policy, retirement plan, annuity, or other contract. Source: OCC
  • Benefit corporation: means a corporation:
A. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 13-C Sec. 1802
  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • General public benefit: means a material positive impact on society and the environment, taken as a whole, assessed against a 3rd-party standard, from the business and operations of a benefit corporation. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 13-C Sec. 1802
  • Specific public benefit: means any particular benefit to society or the environment, including without limitation:
  • 2. Coordination with other provisions of law. The consideration of interests and factors in the manner provided in subsection 1 does not constitute a violation of section 843.

    [PL 2019, c. 328, §1 (NEW).]

    3. Exoneration from personal liability. Except as provided in the articles of incorporation, an officer is not personally liable for monetary damages for:
    A. An action or inaction as an officer in the course of performing the duties of an officer under subsection 1 if the officer performed the duties of the position in compliance with section 843 and this section; or [PL 2019, c. 328, §1 (NEW).]
    B. Failure of the benefit corporation to pursue or create general public benefit or a specific public benefit. [PL 2019, c. 328, §1 (NEW).]

    [PL 2019, c. 328, §1 (NEW).]

    4. Limitation on standing. An officer does not have a duty to a person that is a beneficiary of general public benefit purpose or a specific public benefit purpose of a benefit corporation arising from the status of the person as a beneficiary.

    [PL 2019, c. 328, §1 (NEW).]

    5. Business judgments. An officer who makes a business judgment in good faith fulfills the duty under this section if the officer:
    A. Is not interested in the subject of the business judgment; [PL 2019, c. 328, §1 (NEW).]
    B. Is informed with respect to the subject of the business judgment to the extent the officer reasonably believes to be appropriate under the circumstances; and [PL 2019, c. 328, §1 (NEW).]
    C. Rationally believes that the business judgment is in the best interests of the benefit corporation. [PL 2019, c. 328, §1 (NEW).]

    [PL 2019, c. 328, §1 (NEW).]

    SECTION HISTORY

    PL 2019, c. 328, §1 (NEW).