{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/38.2-4135.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/38.2-4135.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/38.2-4135.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/38.2-4135.html"}],"law_id":62524,"edition_id":1,"section_id":62524,"structure_id":13776,"section_number":"38.2-4135","catch_line":"Exemption of certain societies","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 38-258, 38.1-573; 1952, c. 317, \u00a7 38.1-638.5; 1968, c. 654; 1986, c. 562; 1995, c. 321.","full_text":"A\n\nNothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to affect or apply to:1\n\nGrand or subordinate lodges of Masons, Odd Fellows, or Knights of Pythias, exclusive of the insurance department of the Supreme Lodge Knights of Pythias, or the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, exclusive of the beneficiary degree or insurance branch of the National Council, Junior Order of United American Mechanics;2\n\nSimilar societies which do not issue insurance certificates;3\n\nAn association of local lodges of a society now doing business in this Commonwealth which provides death benefits of not more than $500 to any 1 person, or disability benefits of not more than $300 in any 1 year to any 1 person, or both;4\n\nContracts of reinsurance business on benefits of fraternal benefit societies in this Commonwealth;5\n\nGrand or subordinate lodges of societies, orders or associations now doing business in this Commonwealth which provide benefits exclusively through local or subordinate lodges;6\n\nOrders, societies or associations which admit to membership only persons engaged in one or more crafts or hazardous occupations, in the same or similar lines of business, insuring only their own members and their families, and the ladies’ societies or ladies’ auxiliaries to such orders, societies or associations;7\n\nDomestic societies which limit their membership to employees of a particular city or town, designated firm, business house or corporation and which provide for a death benefit of not more than $400 to any 1 person, or disability benefits of not more than $350 to any 1 person in any 1 year, or both;8\n\nDomestic societies or associations of a purely religious, charitable or benevolent description, which provide for a death benefit of not more than $100 or for disability benefits of not more than $150 to any 1 person in any 1 year, or both; or9\n\nAny association, whether a fraternal benefit society or not, which was organized before 1880 and whose members are officers or enlisted, regular or reserve, active, retired, or honorably discharged members of the Armed Forces or Sea Services of the United States, and a principal purpose of which is to provide insurance and other benefits to its members and their dependents or beneficiaries.B\n\nAny such society or association described in subdivisions 7 and 8 of subsection A which provides for death or disability benefits for which benefit certificates are issued, and any such society or association included in subdivision 8 of subsection A which has more than 1,000 members, shall comply with all provisions of this chapter.C\n\nNo society which, by the provisions of this section, is exempt from the requirements of this chapter, except any society described in subdivision 6 of subsection A of this section, shall give or allow, or promise to give or allow to any person any compensation for procuring new members.D\n\nEvery society which provides for benefits in case of death or disability resulting solely from accident, and which does not obligate itself to pay natural death or sick benefits, shall have all privileges and be subject to the applicable provisions and regulations of this chapter except that the provisions relating to medical examination, valuations of benefit certificates, and incontestability shall not apply to such society.E\n\nThe Commission may require from any society or association, by examination or otherwise, such information as will enable the Commission to determine whether such society or association is exempt from the provisions of this chapter.F\n\nSocieties, orders or associations exempted under the provisions of this section shall also be exempt from all other provisions of the insurance laws of this Commonwealth.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":228002,"text":"Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to affect or apply to:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":228003,"text":"Grand or subordinate lodges of Masons, Odd Fellows, or Knights of Pythias, exclusive of the insurance department of the Supreme Lodge Knights of Pythias, or the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, exclusive of the beneficiary degree or insurance branch of the National Council, Junior Order of United American Mechanics;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":228004,"text":"Similar societies which do not issue insurance certificates;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":228005,"text":"An association of local lodges of a society now doing business in this Commonwealth which provides death benefits of not more than $500 to any 1 person, or disability benefits of not more than $300 in any 1 year to any 1 person, or both;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"4":{"id":228006,"text":"Contracts of reinsurance business on benefits of fraternal benefit societies in this Commonwealth;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"A5"},"5":{"id":228007,"text":"Grand or subordinate lodges of societies, orders or associations now doing business in this Commonwealth which provide benefits exclusively through local or subordinate lodges;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"A5","prefix_anchor":"A5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A4","next_prefix":"A6"},"6":{"id":228008,"text":"Orders, societies or associations which admit to membership only persons engaged in one or more crafts or hazardous occupations, in the same or similar lines of business, insuring only their own members and their families, and the ladies’ societies or ladies’ auxiliaries to such orders, societies or associations;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"A6","prefix_anchor":"A6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A5","next_prefix":"A7"},"7":{"id":228009,"text":"Domestic societies which limit their membership to employees of a particular city or town, designated firm, business house or corporation and which provide for a death benefit of not more than $400 to any 1 person, or disability benefits of not more than $350 to any 1 person in any 1 year, or both;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"A7","prefix_anchor":"A7","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A6","next_prefix":"A8"},"8":{"id":228010,"text":"Domestic societies or associations of a purely religious, charitable or benevolent description, which provide for a death benefit of not more than $100 or for disability benefits of not more than $150 to any 1 person in any 1 year, or both; or","type":"section","prefixes":["A","8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"A8","prefix_anchor":"A8","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A7","next_prefix":"A9"},"9":{"id":228011,"text":"Any association, whether a fraternal benefit society or not, which was organized before 1880 and whose members are officers or enlisted, regular or reserve, active, retired, or honorably discharged members of the Armed Forces or Sea Services of the United States, and a principal purpose of which is to provide insurance and other benefits to its members and their dependents or beneficiaries.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"A9","prefix_anchor":"A9","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A8","next_prefix":"B"},"10":{"id":228012,"text":"Any such society or association described in subdivisions 7 and 8 of subsection A which provides for death or disability benefits for which benefit certificates are issued, and any such society or association included in subdivision 8 of subsection A which has more than 1,000 members, shall comply with all provisions of this chapter.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A9","next_prefix":"C"},"11":{"id":228013,"text":"No society which, by the provisions of this section, is exempt from the requirements of this chapter, except any society described in subdivision 6 of subsection A of this section, shall give or allow, or promise to give or allow to any person any compensation for procuring new members.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"12":{"id":228014,"text":"Every society which provides for benefits in case of death or disability resulting solely from accident, and which does not obligate itself to pay natural death or sick benefits, shall have all privileges and be subject to the applicable provisions and regulations of this chapter except that the provisions relating to medical examination, valuations of benefit certificates, and incontestability shall not apply to such society.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"13":{"id":228015,"text":"The Commission may require from any society or association, by examination or otherwise, such information as will enable the Commission to determine whether such society or association is exempt from the provisions of this chapter.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"14":{"id":228016,"text":"Societies, orders or associations exempted under the provisions of this section shall also be exempt from all other provisions of the insurance laws of this Commonwealth.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13776,"edition_id":1,"name":"Regulation","identifier":"6","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13775,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:51","permalink":{"id":216595,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13776,"identifier":"6","token":"38.2\/41\/6","url":"\/38.2\/41\/6\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13775,"edition_id":1,"name":"Fraternal Benefit Societies","identifier":"41","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12698,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:51","permalink":{"id":216491,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13775,"identifier":"41","token":"38.2\/41","url":"\/38.2\/41\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12698,"edition_id":1,"name":"Insurance","identifier":"38.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":210661,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12698,"identifier":"38.2","token":"38.2","url":"\/38.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":65309,"structure_id":13776,"section_number":"38.2-4123","catch_line":"Exemptions","url":"\/38.2-4123\/","token":"38.2\/41\/6\/38.2-4123","metadata":false},{"id":59062,"structure_id":13776,"section_number":"38.2-4124","catch_line":"Taxation","url":"\/38.2-4124\/","token":"38.2\/41\/6\/38.2-4124","metadata":false},{"id":65445,"structure_id":13776,"section_number":"38.2-4125","catch_line":"Valuations","url":"\/38.2-4125\/","token":"38.2\/41\/6\/38.2-4125","metadata":false},{"id":54786,"structure_id":13776,"section_number":"38.2-4126","catch_line":"Reports to be filed","url":"\/38.2-4126\/","token":"38.2\/41\/6\/38.2-4126","metadata":false},{"id":85566,"structure_id":13776,"section_number":"38.2-4127","catch_line":"Annual license","url":"\/38.2-4127\/","token":"38.2\/41\/6\/38.2-4127","metadata":false},{"id":68059,"structure_id":13776,"section_number":"38.2-4128","catch_line":"Examination of societies; no adverse publications","url":"\/38.2-4128\/","token":"38.2\/41\/6\/38.2-4128","metadata":false},{"id":83277,"structure_id":13776,"section_number":"38.2-4129","catch_line":"Admission; foreign or alien society","url":"\/38.2-4129\/","token":"38.2\/41\/6\/38.2-4129","metadata":false},{"id":68139,"structure_id":13776,"section_number":"38.2-4130","catch_line":"Injunction; liquidation; receivership of domestic society","url":"\/38.2-4130\/","token":"38.2\/41\/6\/38.2-4130","metadata":false},{"id":72578,"structure_id":13776,"section_number":"38.2-4131","catch_line":"Suspension, revocation or refusal of license of foreign or alien society","url":"\/38.2-4131\/","token":"38.2\/41\/6\/38.2-4131","metadata":false},{"id":55877,"structure_id":13776,"section_number":"38.2-4132","catch_line":"Licensing of agents","url":"\/38.2-4132\/","token":"38.2\/41\/6\/38.2-4132","metadata":false},{"id":59395,"structure_id":13776,"section_number":"38.2-4133","catch_line":"Unfair methods of competition and unfair and deceptive acts and practices","url":"\/38.2-4133\/","token":"38.2\/41\/6\/38.2-4133","metadata":false},{"id":65176,"structure_id":13776,"section_number":"38.2-4134","catch_line":"Penalties","url":"\/38.2-4134\/","token":"38.2\/41\/6\/38.2-4134","metadata":false},{"id":62524,"structure_id":13776,"section_number":"38.2-4135","catch_line":"Exemption of certain societies","url":"\/38.2-4135\/","token":"38.2\/41\/6\/38.2-4135","metadata":false},{"id":66864,"structure_id":13776,"section_number":"38.2-4136","catch_line":"Societies previously existing; reincorporation; amendments","url":"\/38.2-4136\/","token":"38.2\/41\/6\/38.2-4136","metadata":false},{"id":73856,"structure_id":13776,"section_number":"38.2-4137","catch_line":"Exemption of member representatives of certain societies","url":"\/38.2-4137\/","token":"38.2\/41\/6\/38.2-4137","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":65176,"structure_id":13776,"section_number":"38.2-4134","catch_line":"Penalties","url":"\/38.2-4134\/","token":"38.2\/41\/6\/38.2-4134","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":66864,"structure_id":13776,"section_number":"38.2-4136","catch_line":"Societies previously existing; reincorporation; amendments","url":"\/38.2-4136\/","token":"38.2\/41\/6\/38.2-4136","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/38.2-4135\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 4 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1952, chapter 317; in 1968, chapter 654; in 1986, chapter 562; in 1995, chapter 321<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":79636,"section_number":"38.2-4100","catch_line":"Fraternal benefit societies","order_by":null,"url":"\/38.2-4100\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":216645,"object_type":"law","relational_id":62524,"identifier":"38.2-4135","token":"38.2\/41\/6\/38.2-4135","url":"\/38.2-4135\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/38.2-4135\/","token":"38.2\/41\/6\/38.2-4135","dublin_core":{"Title":"Exemption of certain societies","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 38.2-4135","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to affect or apply to: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Grand or subordinate lodges<\/span> of Masons, Odd Fellows, or Knights of Pythias, exclusive of the insurance<\/span> department of the Supreme Lodge<\/span> Knights of Pythias, or the Junior Order<\/span> of United American Mechanics, exclusive of the beneficiary degree or insurance<\/span> branch of the National Council, Junior Order<\/span> of United American Mechanics; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Similar societies which do not issue<\/span> insurance<\/span> certificates<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> An association of local lodges<\/span> of a society<\/span> now doing business in this Commonwealth which provides death benefits of not more than $500 to any 1 person<\/span>, or disability benefits of not more than $300 in any 1 year to any 1 person<\/span>, or both; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Contracts<\/span> of reinsurance business on benefits of fraternal benefit societies in this Commonwealth; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Grand or subordinate lodges<\/span> of societies, orders<\/span> or associations now doing business in this Commonwealth which provide benefits exclusively through local or subordinate lodges<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Orders<\/span>, societies or associations which admit to membership only persons<\/span> engaged in one or more crafts or hazardous occupations, in the same or similar lines of business, insuring only their own members and their families, and the ladies’ societies or ladies’ auxiliaries to such orders<\/span>, societies or associations; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> Domestic societies which limit their membership to employees of a particular city or town, designated firm, business house or corporation and which provide for a death benefit of not more than $400 to any 1 person<\/span>, or disability benefits of not more than $350 to any 1 person<\/span> in any 1 year, or both; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> Domestic societies or associations of a purely religious, charitable or benevolent description, which provide for a death benefit of not more than $100 or for disability benefits of not more than $150 to any 1 person<\/span> in any 1 year, or both; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

9.<\/span> Any association, whether a fraternal benefit society<\/span> or not, which was organized before 1880 and whose members are officers or enlisted, regular or reserve, active, retired, or honorably discharged members of the Armed Forces or Sea Services of the United States<\/span>, and a principal purpose of which is to provide insurance<\/span> and other benefits to its members and their dependents or beneficiaries. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Any such society<\/span> or association described in subdivisions 7 and 8 of subsection A which provides for death or disability benefits for which benefit certificates<\/span> are issued, and any such society<\/span> or association included in subdivision 8 of subsection A which has more than 1,000 members, shall comply with all provisions of this chapter. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> No society<\/span> which, by the provisions of this section, is exempt from the requirements of this chapter, except any society<\/span> described in subdivision 6 of subsection A of this section, shall give or allow, or promise to give or allow to any person<\/span> any compensation for procuring new members. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Every society<\/span> which provides for benefits in case of death or disability resulting solely from accident, and which does not obligate itself to pay natural death or sick benefits, shall have all privileges<\/span> and be subject to the applicable provisions and regulations of this chapter except that the provisions relating to medical examination, valuations of benefit certificates<\/span>, and incontestability shall not apply to such society<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> The Commission<\/span> may require from any society<\/span> or association, by examination or otherwise, such information as will enable the Commission<\/span> to determine whether such society<\/span> or association is exempt from the provisions of this chapter. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> Societies, orders<\/span> or associations exempted under the provisions of this section shall also be exempt from all other provisions of the insurance<\/span> laws<\/span><\/span> of this Commonwealth. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nEXEMPTION OF CERTAIN SOCIETIES (\u00a7 38.2-4135)\n\nA. Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to affect or apply to:\n\n 1. Grand or subordinate lodges of Masons, Odd Fellows, or Knights of Pythias,\n exclusive of the insurance department of the Supreme Lodge Knights of Pythias,\n or the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, exclusive of the beneficiary\n degree or insurance branch of the National Council, Junior Order of United\n American Mechanics;\n\n 2. Similar societies which do not issue insurance certificates;\n\n 3. An association of local lodges of a society now doing business in this\n Commonwealth which provides death benefits of not more than $500 to any 1\n person, or disability benefits of not more than $300 in any 1 year to any 1\n person, or both;\n\n 4. Contracts of reinsurance business on benefits of fraternal benefit\n societies in this Commonwealth;\n\n 5. Grand or subordinate lodges of societies, orders or associations now doing\n business in this Commonwealth which provide benefits exclusively through local\n or subordinate lodges;\n\n 6. Orders, societies or associations which admit to membership only persons\n engaged in one or more crafts or hazardous occupations, in the same or similar\n lines of business, insuring only their own members and their families, and the\n ladies’ societies or ladies’ auxiliaries to such orders, societies\n or associations;\n\n 7. Domestic societies which limit their membership to employees of a\n particular city or town, designated firm, business house or corporation and\n which provide for a death benefit of not more than $400 to any 1 person, or\n disability benefits of not more than $350 to any 1 person in any 1 year, or\n both;\n\n 8. Domestic societies or associations of a purely religious, charitable or\n benevolent description, which provide for a death benefit of not more than\n $100 or for disability benefits of not more than $150 to any 1 person in any 1\n year, or both; or\n\n 9. Any association, whether a fraternal benefit society or not, which was\n organized before 1880 and whose members are officers or enlisted, regular or\n reserve, active, retired, or honorably discharged members of the Armed Forces\n or Sea Services of the United States, and a principal purpose of which is to\n provide insurance and other benefits to its members and their dependents or\n beneficiaries.\n\nB. Any such society or association described in subdivisions 7 and 8 of\nsubsection A which provides for death or disability benefits for which benefit\ncertificates are issued, and any such society or association included in\nsubdivision 8 of subsection A which has more than 1,000 members, shall comply\nwith all provisions of this chapter.\n\nC. No society which, by the provisions of this section, is exempt from the\nrequirements of this chapter, except any society described in subdivision 6 of\nsubsection A of this section, shall give or allow, or promise to give or allow\nto any person any compensation for procuring new members.\n\nD. Every society which provides for benefits in case of death or disability\nresulting solely from accident, and which does not obligate itself to pay\nnatural death or sick benefits, shall have all privileges and be subject to the\napplicable provisions and regulations of this chapter except that the provisions\nrelating to medical examination, valuations of benefit certificates, and\nincontestability shall not apply to such society.\n\nE. The Commission may require from any society or association, by examination or\notherwise, such information as will enable the Commission to determine whether\nsuch society or association is exempt from the provisions of this chapter.\n\nF. Societies, orders or associations exempted under the provisions of this\nsection shall also be exempt from all other provisions of the insurance laws of\nthis Commonwealth.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 38-258, 38.1-573; 1952, c. 317, \u00a7 38.1-638.5; 1968, c.\n654; 1986, c. 562; 1995, c. 321.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}