S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
       ________________________________________________________________________
                                         8122
                              2015-2016 Regular Sessions
                                 I N  A S S E M B L Y
                                     June 9, 2015
                                      ___________
       Introduced  by M. of A. BRENNAN -- read once and referred to the Commit-
         tee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
       AN ACT to amend the religious corporations law, in relation to providing
         a means of incorporation for  organized  groups  affiliated  with  the
         Hindu, Sikh and Islamic faiths
         THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
       BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
    1    Section 1. The fourth undesignated paragraph of section 2 of the reli-
    2  gious corporations law, as amended by chapter 674 of the laws  of  1947,
    3  is amended to read as follows:
    4    The term "clergyman" and the term "minister" include a duly authorized
    5  pastor, rector, priest, rabbi, PANDIT, SWAMI, GURU, GRANTHI, IMAM, MOUL-
    6  VI,  MAULANA  and a person having authority from, or in accordance with,
    7  the rules and regulations of the governing ecclesiastical  body  of  the
    8  denomination or order, if any, to which the church belongs, or otherwise
    9  from  the  church  or synagogue to preside over and direct the spiritual
   10  affairs of the church or synagogue.
   11    S 2. The religious corporations law is amended by adding a new article
   12  22 to read as follows:
   13                                  ARTICLE 22
   14                      ORGANIZATIONS OF THE HINDU FAITH
   15  SECTION 460. APPLICATION.
   16          461. APPLICATION FOR INCORPORATION.
   17          462. QUALIFICATION OF VOTERS.
   18          463. NOTICE OF MEETING FOR INCORPORATION.
   19          464. MEETING FOR INCORPORATION.
   20          465. CHURCH GOVERNANCE.
   21          466. CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION.
   22          467. REINCORPORATION OF PRESENT INCORPORATED CHURCHES.
   23          468. TIME, PLACE AND NOTICE OF CORPORATE MEETINGS.
   24          469. CORPORATE MEETINGS.
        EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                             [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                  LBD01928-01-5
       A. 8122                             2
    1    S 460. APPLICATION. 1. THIS  ARTICLE  APPLIES  TO  ANY  UNINCORPORATED
    2  CHURCH  AFFILIATED  WITH THE HINDU FAITH, AND TO ANY HERETOFORE INCORPO-
    3  RATED CHURCH OR BODY, SO  AFFILIATED,  WHICH  DESIRES  TO  REINCORPORATE
    4  PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE.  INDEPENDENT CHURCHES MAY INCORPORATE OR REIN-
    5  CORPORATE  UNDER  THIS  ARTICLE  IN THE MANNER PROVIDED IN SECTIONS FOUR
    6  HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE AND FOUR HUNDRED SIXTY-SEVEN OF THIS ARTICLE, AND  ALL
    7  THE  PROVISIONS  OF  THIS  ARTICLE  SHALL  APPLY TO SUCH CHURCHES AS THE
    8  CONTEXT REQUIRES.
    9    2. NOTHING HEREINAFTER PROVIDED SHALL PREVENT OR PROHIBIT ANY  HERETO-
   10  FORE  INCORPORATED  CHURCH OR BODY, AFFILIATED WITH THE HINDU FAITH FROM
   11  MAINTAINING AND CONTINUING THE RELATIONSHIP WHICH SUCH  CHURCH  OR  BODY
   12  ENJOYED  AT  THE  TIME OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ARTICLE SHOULD SUCH
   13  CHURCH OR BODY DETERMINE NOT TO REINCORPORATE PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE.
   14    S 461. APPLICATION FOR INCORPORATION. ANY UNINCORPORATED CHURCH OR ANY
   15  HERETOFORE INCORPORATED CHURCH WISHING TO INCORPORATE UNDER THIS ARTICLE
   16  SHALL EXECUTE, ACKNOWLEDGE AND FILE A CERTIFICATE  OF  INCORPORATION  AS
   17  HEREINAFTER PROVIDED.
   18    S  462.  QUALIFICATION  OF VOTERS. THE FOLLOWING PARTIES AND NO OTHERS
   19  SHALL BE QUALIFIED VOTERS FOR  ALL  PURPOSES  UNDER  THIS  ARTICLE:  ALL
   20  PERSONS  EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE OR OVER WHO ARE MEMBERS IN GOOD AND REGU-
   21  LAR STANDING OF THE CHURCH OR BODY BY ADMISSION INTO  MEMBERSHIP  THERE-
   22  WITH,  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH  THE  STANDARDS  FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE LOCAL
   23  CHURCH AS DETERMINED BY THE LOCAL CHURCH ITSELF.
   24    S 463. NOTICE OF MEETING FOR INCORPORATION. NOTICE OF  A  MEETING  FOR
   25  THE  PURPOSE OF INCORPORATING AN UNINCORPORATED CHURCH SHALL BE GIVEN AS
   26  FOLLOWS:
   27    1. THE NOTICE SHALL BE IN WRITING AND SHALL STATE, IN SUBSTANCE,  THAT
   28  A  MEETING OF SUCH UNINCORPORATED CHURCH WILL BE HELD AT ITS USUAL PLACE
   29  OF WORSHIP AT A SPECIFIED DAY AND HOUR FOR THE PURPOSE OF  INCORPORATING
   30  SUCH  CHURCH  AND  ELECTING  THREE  OR  MORE TRUSTEES, BUT NOT TO EXCEED
   31  FIFTEEN.
   32    2. THE NOTICE MUST BE SIGNED BY AT LEAST SIX QUALIFIED VOTERS. A  COPY
   33  OF  SUCH  NOTICE  SHALL  BE PUBLICLY READ AT EACH OF THE TWO CONSECUTIVE
   34  MAIN WORSHIP SERVICES, OF SUCH UNINCORPORATED CHURCH PRECEDING THE MEET-
   35  ING TO INCORPORATE, BY THE MINISTER OF SUCH CHURCH, OR IF NONE,  BY  THE
   36  CHURCH MEMBER WHO HAS BEEN DESIGNATED BY THE MEMBERSHIP OR OTHER AUTHOR-
   37  IZED  BODY  OF  THE  CHURCH TO CONDUCT THE WORSHIP SERVICE THAT DAY (THE
   38  "OFFICIATING MINISTER"); AND AT LEAST FIFTEEN DAYS  BEFORE  THE  MEETING
   39  FOR INCORPORATION, A COPY OF SUCH NOTICE SHALL BE POSTED AT THE PLACE OF
   40  WORSHIP.
   41    S  464. MEETING FOR INCORPORATION. 1. AT THE MEETING FOR INCORPORATION
   42  HELD IN PURSUANCE OF SUCH NOTICE, ONLY QUALIFIED VOTERS SHALL BE  ELIGI-
   43  BLE TO VOTE.
   44    2.  THE PRESENCE OF ONE-THIRD OF THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OR SIX QUALIFIED
   45  VOTERS, WHICHEVER NUMBER IS HIGHER, SHALL BE NECESSARY TO  CONSTITUTE  A
   46  QUORUM  OF  SUCH  MEETING.  THE ACTION OF THE MEETING UPON ANY MATTER OR
   47  QUESTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY A MAJORITY OF THE QUALIFIED VOTERS PRESENT.
   48    3. THE MINISTER OF THE CHURCH, OR IF NONE, THE  OFFICIATING  MINISTER,
   49  SHALL  ACT  AS  PRESIDING  OFFICER  OF  THE  MEETING TO INCORPORATE. THE
   50  PRESIDING OFFICER SHALL CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER AND SHALL BE THE JUDGE
   51  OF THE QUALIFICATION OF VOTERS.
   52    4. SUCH MEETING SHALL DECIDE BY BALLOT WHETHER  THE  CHURCH  SHALL  BE
   53  INCORPORATED,  THE  NAME  OF  THE PROPOSED CORPORATION, THE NAMES OF THE
   54  INITIAL TRUSTEES, AND THE DATE, NOT MORE THAN FIFTEEN MONTHS THEREAFTER,
   55  ON WHICH THE FIRST ANNUAL ELECTION OR AFFIRMATION OF THE TRUSTEES THERE-
       A. 8122                             3
    1  OF AFTER SUCH MEETING SHALL BE HELD.   THE TRUSTEES  SHALL  HOLD  OFFICE
    2  UNTIL THEIR SUCCESSORS ARE ELECTED OR AFFIRMED.
    3    5.  AT THE MEETING FOR INCORPORATION, A CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS SHALL
    4  BE ADOPTED SETTING FORTH A FORM OF CHURCH GOVERNANCE THAT IS  CONSISTENT
    5  WITH SECTION FOUR HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE OF THIS ARTICLE.
    6    S  465. CHURCH GOVERNANCE. 1. A CHURCH INCORPORATED UNDER THIS SECTION
    7  SHALL PROVIDE IN ITS CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OR BY-LAWS  FOR  TRUS-
    8  TEES  TO BE ELECTED OR APPOINTED AT LARGE, OR BY VIRTUE OF THEIR OFFICE.
    9  THERE SHALL BE A MINIMUM OF THREE TRUSTEES. TO THE  EXTENT  PRACTICABLE,
   10  TERMS  OF  OFFICE  SHALL  BE FOR THREE YEARS AND STAGGERED. TERMS MAY BE
   11  CONSECUTIVE.
   12    2. PROVISION SHALL ALSO BE MADE IN ITS CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OR
   13  BY-LAWS FOR OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION TO BE ELECTED  OR  APPOINTED  AT
   14  LARGE  OR  BY  VIRTUE OF THEIR OFFICE. THE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY SHALL
   15  NOT BE THE SAME PERSON. TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE, TERMS OF OFFICE SHALL
   16  BE FOR THREE YEARS AND STAGGERED.  TERMS MAY BE CONSECUTIVE.
   17    3. PROVISION SHALL ALSO BE MADE IN ITS CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OR
   18  BY-LAWS FOR SPIRITUAL OVERSIGHT OF THE CHURCH BY AN ELDERSHIP BOARD OR A
   19  SENIOR PANDIT, SWAMI, GURU OR SOME COMBINATION OF THE  ABOVE.  TERMS  OF
   20  OFFICE MAY BE DEFINITE OR INDEFINITE AS THE BY-LAWS MAY SPECIFY.
   21    4. PROVISION SHALL ALSO BE MADE IN ITS CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OR
   22  BY-LAWS FOR PERIODIC AFFIRMATION OF APPOINTIVE POSITIONS BY A DESIGNATED
   23  BODY OR BOARD.
   24    S 466. CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION. 1. IF AT THE MEETING FOR INCORPO-
   25  RATION  IT SHALL BE DECIDED THAT SUCH UNINCORPORATED CHURCH SHALL BECOME
   26  INCORPORATED, THE PRESIDING OFFICER OF THE MEETING AND TWO OTHERS  SHALL
   27  EXECUTE  AND  ACKNOWLEDGE A CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, IN WHICH SHALL
   28  BE STATED THE NAME OR TITLE BY WHICH SUCH BODY SHALL  BE  KNOWN  IN  THE
   29  LAW;  THE  PURPOSE  OF  ITS ORGANIZATION; THE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF THE
   30  INITIAL TRUSTEES, THE COUNTY, TOWN OR CITY IN WHICH ITS PRINCIPAL  PLACE
   31  OF  WORSHIP  IS  OR  IS INTENDED TO BE LOCATED; AND A STATEMENT THAT THE
   32  CHURCH IS IN AFFILIATION WITH THE HINDU FAITH.
   33    2. ON FILING SUCH CERTIFICATE IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK OF THE
   34  COUNTY IN WHICH THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OR PLACE OF WORSHIP OF  THE  CORPO-
   35  RATION  IS  OR  IS INTENDED TO BE LOCATED, SUCH CHURCH SHALL BE A CORPO-
   36  RATION BY THE NAME STATED IN THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION.
   37    S 467. REINCORPORATION OF PRESENT INCORPORATED CHURCHES. 1. ANY CHURCH
   38  HERETOFORE INCORPORATED MAY, SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS AND LIMITATIONS  OF
   39  EXISTING  LAWS,  REINCORPORATE  UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE, BY
   40  FILING IN THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE IN THE COUNTY IN WHICH ITS PRINCIPAL
   41  PLACE OF WORSHIP IS LOCATED, A CERTIFICATE, SIGNED AND  ACKNOWLEDGED  BY
   42  ALL THE TRUSTEES OF SAID CHURCH IN OFFICE AT THE TIME OF SUCH REINCORPO-
   43  RATION,  SETTING  FORTH  THAT  THE SAID CHURCH BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE
   44  MEMBERS PRESENT AT A DULY CALLED MEETING OF THE  MEMBERSHIP,  AS  DETER-
   45  MINED  BY THE BY-LAWS OF THE EXISTING CORPORATION, DESIRES TO REINCORPO-
   46  RATE UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE. SUCH  CERTIFICATE  SHALL  SET
   47  FORTH  THOSE  ITEMS  SPECIFIED IN SECTION FOUR HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX OF THIS
   48  ARTICLE.
   49    2. THE REINCORPORATED CORPORATION SHALL BE DEEMED  A  CONTINUATION  OF
   50  THE  PREVIOUSLY ORGANIZED CORPORATION, BUT THEREAFTER IT SHALL HAVE ONLY
   51  SUCH RIGHTS AND POWERS AND BE SUBJECT ONLY TO SUCH  OBLIGATIONS  AS  ANY
   52  CORPORATION  CREATED  UNDER  THIS  ARTICLE,  PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT ALL
   53  PROPERTY RIGHTS AND LIABILITIES OF THE PREVIOUSLY ORGANIZED  CORPORATION
   54  SHALL  BE  VESTED  IN AND ASSUMED BY THE REINCORPORATED CORPORATION. THE
   55  CORPORATE BY-LAWS AND OFFICERS OF THE REINCORPORATED  CORPORATION  SHALL
   56  BE  THE  SAME  AS THOSE OF ITS PREDECESSOR UNTIL CHANGED PURSUANT TO THE
       A. 8122                             4
    1  SAID BY-LAWS, PROVIDED THEY CONFORM TO THE PROVISIONS  OF  SECTION  FOUR
    2  HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE OF THIS ARTICLE.
    3    S  468.  TIME,  PLACE AND NOTICE OF CORPORATE MEETINGS. 1. THE BY-LAWS
    4  SHALL MAKE PROVISIONS FOR AN ANNUAL CORPORATE  MEETING  AND  FOR  GIVING
    5  APPROPRIATE  NOTICE  TO EACH VOTING MEMBER OF THE DATE AND PLACE OF EACH
    6  SUCH MEETING.
    7    2. NOTICES OF ANY SPECIAL MEETING SHALL STATE THE PURPOSE OR  PURPOSES
    8  FOR  WHICH  THE MEETING IS CALLED AND NO BUSINESS SHALL BE TRANSACTED AT
    9  SUCH SPECIAL MEETING EXCEPT THAT CONTAINED IN SUCH NOTICE.
   10    S 469. CORPORATE MEETINGS. 1. EACH CHURCH SHALL DETERMINE THE REQUIRE-
   11  MENTS FOR A QUORUM IN THEIR BY-LAWS THAT SHALL NOT EXCEED FIFTY  PERCENT
   12  OF THE MEMBERS.
   13    2.  THE  ACTION  OF  THE  MEETING UPON ANY MATTER OR QUESTION SHALL BE
   14  DECIDED IN A MANNER PROVIDED BY THE BY-LAWS.
   15    3. THE PRESIDING OFFICER OF ANY MEETING SHALL BE  THE  SENIOR  PANDIT,
   16  SWAMI  OR  GURU  OF  THE CHURCH OR IF NONE, AS SHALL BE SET FORTH IN THE
   17  BY-LAWS OF THE CHURCH.
   18    S 3. The religious corporations law is amended by adding a new article
   19  23 to read as follows:
   20                                  ARTICLE 23
   21                       ORGANIZATIONS OF THE SIKH FAITH
   22  SECTION 470. APPLICATION.
   23          471. APPLICATION FOR INCORPORATION.
   24          472. QUALIFICATION OF VOTERS.
   25          473. NOTICE OF MEETING FOR INCORPORATION.
   26          474. MEETING FOR INCORPORATION.
   27          475. CHURCH GOVERNANCE.
   28          476. CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION.
   29          477. REINCORPORATION OF PRESENT INCORPORATED CHURCHES.
   30          478. TIME, PLACE AND NOTICE OF CORPORATE MEETINGS.
   31          479. CORPORATE MEETINGS.
   32    S 470. APPLICATION. 1. THIS  ARTICLE  APPLIES  TO  ANY  UNINCORPORATED
   33  CHURCH  AFFILIATED  WITH  THE SIKH FAITH, AND TO ANY HERETOFORE INCORPO-
   34  RATED CHURCH OR BODY, SO  AFFILIATED,  WHICH  DESIRES  TO  REINCORPORATE
   35  PURSUANT  TO THIS ARTICLE. INDEPENDENT CHURCHES MAY INCORPORATE OR REIN-
   36  CORPORATE UNDER THIS ARTICLE IN THE MANNER  PROVIDED  IN  SECTIONS  FOUR
   37  HUNDRED  SEVENTY-ONE AND FOUR HUNDRED SEVENTY-SEVEN OF THIS ARTICLE, AND
   38  ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL APPLY TO SUCH CHURCHES  AS  THE
   39  CONTEXT REQUIRES.
   40    2.  NOTHING HEREINAFTER PROVIDED SHALL PREVENT OR PROHIBIT ANY HERETO-
   41  FORE INCORPORATED CHURCH OR BODY, AFFILIATED WITH THE  SIKH  FAITH  FROM
   42  MAINTAINING  AND  CONTINUING  THE RELATIONSHIP WHICH SUCH CHURCH OR BODY
   43  ENJOYED AT THE TIME OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS  ARTICLE  SHOULD  SUCH
   44  CHURCH OR BODY DETERMINE NOT TO REINCORPORATE PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE.
   45    S 471. APPLICATION FOR INCORPORATION. ANY UNINCORPORATED CHURCH OR ANY
   46  HERETOFORE INCORPORATED CHURCH WISHING TO INCORPORATE UNDER THIS ARTICLE
   47  SHALL  EXECUTE,  ACKNOWLEDGE  AND FILE A CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AS
   48  HEREINAFTER PROVIDED.
   49    S 472. QUALIFICATION OF VOTERS. THE FOLLOWING PARTIES  AND  NO  OTHERS
   50  SHALL  BE  QUALIFIED  VOTERS  FOR  ALL  PURPOSES UNDER THIS ARTICLE: ALL
   51  PERSONS EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE OR OVER WHO ARE MEMBERS IN GOOD AND  REGU-
   52  LAR  STANDING  OF THE CHURCH OR BODY BY ADMISSION INTO MEMBERSHIP THERE-
   53  WITH, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE  STANDARDS  FOR  MEMBERSHIP  IN  THE  LOCAL
   54  CHURCH AS DETERMINED BY THE LOCAL CHURCH ITSELF.
       A. 8122                             5
    1    S  473.  NOTICE  OF MEETING FOR INCORPORATION. NOTICE OF A MEETING FOR
    2  THE PURPOSE OF INCORPORATING AN UNINCORPORATED CHURCH SHALL BE GIVEN  AS
    3  FOLLOWS:
    4    1.  THE NOTICE SHALL BE IN WRITING AND SHALL STATE, IN SUBSTANCE, THAT
    5  A MEETING OF SUCH UNINCORPORATED CHURCH WILL BE HELD AT ITS USUAL  PLACE
    6  OF  WORSHIP AT A SPECIFIED DAY AND HOUR FOR THE PURPOSE OF INCORPORATING
    7  SUCH CHURCH AND ELECTING THREE OR  MORE  TRUSTEES,  BUT  NOT  TO  EXCEED
    8  FIFTEEN.
    9    2.  THE NOTICE MUST BE SIGNED BY AT LEAST SIX QUALIFIED VOTERS. A COPY
   10  OF SUCH NOTICE SHALL BE PUBLICLY READ AT EACH  OF  THE  TWO  CONSECUTIVE
   11  MAIN WORSHIP SERVICES, OF SUCH UNINCORPORATED CHURCH PRECEDING THE MEET-
   12  ING  TO  INCORPORATE, BY THE MINISTER OF SUCH CHURCH, OR IF NONE, BY THE
   13  CHURCH MEMBER WHO HAS BEEN DESIGNATED BY THE MEMBERSHIP OR OTHER AUTHOR-
   14  IZED BODY OF THE CHURCH TO CONDUCT THE WORSHIP  SERVICE  THAT  DAY  (THE
   15  "OFFICIATING  MINISTER");  AND  AT LEAST FIFTEEN DAYS BEFORE THE MEETING
   16  FOR INCORPORATION, A COPY OF SUCH NOTICE SHALL BE POSTED AT THE PLACE OF
   17  WORSHIP.
   18    S 474. MEETING FOR INCORPORATION. 1. AT THE MEETING FOR  INCORPORATION
   19  HELD  IN PURSUANCE OF SUCH NOTICE, ONLY QUALIFIED VOTERS SHALL BE ELIGI-
   20  BLE TO VOTE.
   21    2. THE PRESENCE OF ONE-THIRD OF THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OR SIX  QUALIFIED
   22  VOTERS,  WHICHEVER  NUMBER IS HIGHER, SHALL BE NECESSARY TO CONSTITUTE A
   23  QUORUM OF SUCH MEETING. THE ACTION OF THE MEETING  UPON  ANY  MATTER  OR
   24  QUESTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY A MAJORITY OF THE QUALIFIED VOTERS PRESENT.
   25    3.  THE  MINISTER OF THE CHURCH, OR IF NONE, THE OFFICIATING MINISTER,
   26  SHALL ACT AS PRESIDING  OFFICER  OF  THE  MEETING  TO  INCORPORATE.  THE
   27  PRESIDING OFFICER SHALL CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER AND SHALL BE THE JUDGE
   28  OF THE QUALIFICATION OF VOTERS.
   29    4.  SUCH  MEETING  SHALL  DECIDE BY BALLOT WHETHER THE CHURCH SHALL BE
   30  INCORPORATED, THE NAME OF THE PROPOSED CORPORATION,  THE  NAMES  OF  THE
   31  INITIAL TRUSTEES, AND THE DATE, NOT MORE THAN FIFTEEN MONTHS THEREAFTER,
   32  ON WHICH THE FIRST ANNUAL ELECTION OR AFFIRMATION OF THE TRUSTEES THERE-
   33  OF  AFTER  SUCH  MEETING SHALL BE HELD.   THE TRUSTEES SHALL HOLD OFFICE
   34  UNTIL THEIR SUCCESSORS ARE ELECTED OR AFFIRMED.
   35    5. AT THE MEETING FOR INCORPORATION, A CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS  SHALL
   36  BE  ADOPTED SETTING FORTH A FORM OF CHURCH GOVERNANCE THAT IS CONSISTENT
   37  WITH SECTION FOUR HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIVE OF THIS ARTICLE.
   38    S 475. CHURCH GOVERNANCE. 1. A CHURCH INCORPORATED UNDER THIS  SECTION
   39  SHALL  PROVIDE  IN ITS CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OR BY-LAWS FOR TRUS-
   40  TEES TO BE ELECTED OR APPOINTED AT LARGE, OR BY VIRTUE OF THEIR  OFFICE.
   41  THERE  SHALL  BE A MINIMUM OF THREE TRUSTEES. TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE,
   42  TERMS OF OFFICE SHALL BE FOR THREE YEARS AND  STAGGERED.  TERMS  MAY  BE
   43  CONSECUTIVE.
   44    2. PROVISION SHALL ALSO BE MADE IN ITS CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OR
   45  BY-LAWS  FOR  OFFICERS  OF THE CORPORATION TO BE ELECTED OR APPOINTED AT
   46  LARGE OR BY VIRTUE OF THEIR OFFICE. THE PRESIDENT  AND  SECRETARY  SHALL
   47  NOT BE THE SAME PERSON. TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE, TERMS OF OFFICE SHALL
   48  BE FOR THREE YEARS AND STAGGERED.  TERMS MAY BE CONSECUTIVE.
   49    3. PROVISION SHALL ALSO BE MADE IN ITS CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OR
   50  BY-LAWS FOR SPIRITUAL OVERSIGHT OF THE CHURCH BY AN ELDERSHIP BOARD OR A
   51  SENIOR GRANTHI OR GURU OR SOME COMBINATION OF THE ABOVE. TERMS OF OFFICE
   52  MAY BE DEFINITE OR INDEFINITE AS THE BY-LAWS MAY SPECIFY.
   53    4. PROVISION SHALL ALSO BE MADE IN ITS CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OR
   54  BY-LAWS FOR PERIODIC AFFIRMATION OF APPOINTIVE POSITIONS BY A DESIGNATED
   55  BODY OR BOARD.
       A. 8122                             6
    1    S 476. CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION. 1. IF AT THE MEETING FOR INCORPO-
    2  RATION  IT SHALL BE DECIDED THAT SUCH UNINCORPORATED CHURCH SHALL BECOME
    3  INCORPORATED, THE PRESIDING OFFICER OF THE MEETING AND TWO OTHERS  SHALL
    4  EXECUTE  AND  ACKNOWLEDGE A CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, IN WHICH SHALL
    5  BE  STATED  THE  NAME  OR TITLE BY WHICH SUCH BODY SHALL BE KNOWN IN THE
    6  LAW; THE PURPOSE OF ITS ORGANIZATION; THE NAMES  AND  ADDRESSES  OF  THE
    7  INITIAL  TRUSTEES, THE COUNTY, TOWN OR CITY IN WHICH ITS PRINCIPAL PLACE
    8  OF WORSHIP IS OR IS INTENDED TO BE LOCATED; AND  A  STATEMENT  THAT  THE
    9  CHURCH IS IN AFFILIATION WITH THE SIKH FAITH.
   10    2. ON FILING SUCH CERTIFICATE IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK OF THE
   11  COUNTY  IN  WHICH THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OR PLACE OF WORSHIP OF THE CORPO-
   12  RATION IS OR IS INTENDED TO BE LOCATED, SUCH CHURCH SHALL  BE  A  CORPO-
   13  RATION BY THE NAME STATED IN THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION.
   14    S 477. REINCORPORATION OF PRESENT INCORPORATED CHURCHES. 1. ANY CHURCH
   15  HERETOFORE  INCORPORATED MAY, SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS AND LIMITATIONS OF
   16  EXISTING LAWS, REINCORPORATE UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF  THIS  ARTICLE,  BY
   17  FILING IN THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE IN THE COUNTY IN WHICH ITS PRINCIPAL
   18  PLACE  OF  WORSHIP IS LOCATED, A CERTIFICATE, SIGNED AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY
   19  ALL THE TRUSTEES OF SAID CHURCH IN OFFICE AT THE TIME OF SUCH REINCORPO-
   20  RATION, SETTING FORTH THAT THE SAID CHURCH BY A  MAJORITY  VOTE  OF  THE
   21  MEMBERS  PRESENT  AT  A DULY CALLED MEETING OF THE MEMBERSHIP, AS DETER-
   22  MINED BY THE BY-LAWS OF THE EXISTING CORPORATION, DESIRES TO  REINCORPO-
   23  RATE  UNDER  THE  PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE. SUCH CERTIFICATE SHALL SET
   24  FORTH THOSE ITEMS SPECIFIED IN SECTION FOUR HUNDRED SEVENTY-SIX OF  THIS
   25  ARTICLE.
   26    2.  THE  REINCORPORATED  CORPORATION SHALL BE DEEMED A CONTINUATION OF
   27  THE PREVIOUSLY ORGANIZED CORPORATION, BUT THEREAFTER IT SHALL HAVE  ONLY
   28  SUCH  RIGHTS  AND  POWERS AND BE SUBJECT ONLY TO SUCH OBLIGATIONS AS ANY
   29  CORPORATION CREATED UNDER THIS  ARTICLE,  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  THAT  ALL
   30  PROPERTY  RIGHTS AND LIABILITIES OF THE PREVIOUSLY ORGANIZED CORPORATION
   31  SHALL BE VESTED IN AND ASSUMED BY THE  REINCORPORATED  CORPORATION.  THE
   32  CORPORATE  BY-LAWS  AND OFFICERS OF THE REINCORPORATED CORPORATION SHALL
   33  BE THE SAME AS THOSE OF ITS PREDECESSOR UNTIL CHANGED  PURSUANT  TO  THE
   34  SAID  BY-LAWS,  PROVIDED  THEY CONFORM TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION FOUR
   35  HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIVE OF THIS ARTICLE.
   36    S 478. TIME, PLACE AND NOTICE OF CORPORATE MEETINGS.  1.  THE  BY-LAWS
   37  SHALL  MAKE  PROVISION  FOR  AN  ANNUAL CORPORATE MEETING AND FOR GIVING
   38  APPROPRIATE NOTICE TO EACH VOTING MEMBER OF THE DATE AND PLACE  OF  EACH
   39  SUCH MEETING.
   40    2.  NOTICES OF ANY SPECIAL MEETING SHALL STATE THE PURPOSE OR PURPOSES
   41  FOR WHICH THE MEETING IS CALLED AND NO BUSINESS SHALL BE  TRANSACTED  AT
   42  SUCH SPECIAL MEETING EXCEPT THAT CONTAINED IN SUCH NOTICE.
   43    S 479. CORPORATE MEETINGS. 1. EACH CHURCH SHALL DETERMINE THE REQUIRE-
   44  MENTS  FOR A QUORUM IN THEIR BY-LAWS THAT SHALL NOT EXCEED FIFTY PERCENT
   45  OF THE MEMBERS.
   46    2. THE ACTION OF THE MEETING UPON ANY  MATTER  OR  QUESTION  SHALL  BE
   47  DECIDED IN A MANNER PROVIDED BY THE BY-LAWS.
   48    3. THE PRESIDING OFFICER OF ANY MEETING SHALL BE THE SENIOR GRANTHI OR
   49  GURU  OF  THE CHURCH OR IF NONE, AS SHALL BE SET FORTH IN THE BY-LAWS OF
   50  THE CHURCH.
   51    S 4. The religious corporations law is amended by adding a new article
   52  24 to read as follows:
   53                                  ARTICLE 24
   54                     ORGANIZATIONS OF THE ISLAMIC FAITH
   55  SECTION 480. APPLICATION.
   56          481. APPLICATION FOR INCORPORATION.
       A. 8122                             7
    1          482. QUALIFICATION OF VOTERS.
    2          483. NOTICE OF MEETING FOR INCORPORATION.
    3          484. MEETING FOR INCORPORATION.
    4          485. CHURCH GOVERNANCE.
    5          486. CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION.
    6          487. REINCORPORATION OF PRESENT INCORPORATED CHURCHES.
    7          488. TIME, PLACE AND NOTICE OF CORPORATE MEETINGS.
    8          489. CORPORATE MEETINGS.
    9    S  480.  APPLICATION.  1.  THIS  ARTICLE APPLIES TO ANY UNINCORPORATED
   10  CHURCH AFFILIATED WITH THE ISLAMIC FAITH, AND TO ANY HERETOFORE INCORPO-
   11  RATED CHURCH OR BODY, SO  AFFILIATED,  WHICH  DESIRES  TO  REINCORPORATE
   12  PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE.  INDEPENDENT CHURCHES MAY INCORPORATE OR REIN-
   13  CORPORATE  UNDER  THIS  ARTICLE  IN THE MANNER PROVIDED IN SECTIONS FOUR
   14  HUNDRED EIGHTY-ONE AND FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY-SEVEN OF  THIS  ARTICLE,  AND
   15  ALL  THE  PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL APPLY TO SUCH CHURCHES AS THE
   16  CONTEXT REQUIRES.
   17    2. NOTHING HEREINAFTER PROVIDED SHALL PREVENT OR PROHIBIT ANY  HERETO-
   18  FORE INCORPORATED CHURCH OR BODY, AFFILIATED WITH THE ISLAMIC FAITH FROM
   19  MAINTAINING  AND  CONTINUING  THE RELATIONSHIP WHICH SUCH CHURCH OR BODY
   20  ENJOYED AT THE TIME OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS  ARTICLE  SHOULD  SUCH
   21  CHURCH OR BODY DETERMINE NOT TO REINCORPORATE PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE.
   22    S 481. APPLICATION FOR INCORPORATION. ANY UNINCORPORATED CHURCH OR ANY
   23  HERETOFORE INCORPORATED CHURCH WISHING TO INCORPORATE UNDER THIS ARTICLE
   24  SHALL  EXECUTE,  ACKNOWLEDGE  AND FILE A CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AS
   25  HEREINAFTER PROVIDED.
   26    S 482. QUALIFICATION OF VOTERS. THE FOLLOWING PARTIES  AND  NO  OTHERS
   27  SHALL  BE  QUALIFIED  VOTERS  FOR  ALL  PURPOSES UNDER THIS ARTICLE: ALL
   28  PERSONS EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE OR OVER WHO ARE MEMBERS IN GOOD AND  REGU-
   29  LAR  STANDING  OF THE CHURCH OR BODY BY ADMISSION INTO MEMBERSHIP THERE-
   30  WITH, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE  STANDARDS  FOR  MEMBERSHIP  IN  THE  LOCAL
   31  CHURCH AS DETERMINED BY THE LOCAL CHURCH ITSELF.
   32    S  483.  NOTICE  OF MEETING FOR INCORPORATION. NOTICE OF A MEETING FOR
   33  THE PURPOSE OF INCORPORATING AN UNINCORPORATED CHURCH SHALL BE GIVEN  AS
   34  FOLLOWS:
   35    1.  THE NOTICE SHALL BE IN WRITING AND SHALL STATE, IN SUBSTANCE, THAT
   36  A MEETING OF SUCH UNINCORPORATED CHURCH WILL BE HELD AT ITS USUAL  PLACE
   37  OF  WORSHIP AT A SPECIFIED DAY AND HOUR FOR THE PURPOSE OF INCORPORATING
   38  SUCH CHURCH AND ELECTING THREE OR  MORE  TRUSTEES,  BUT  NOT  TO  EXCEED
   39  FIFTEEN.
   40    2.  THE NOTICE MUST BE SIGNED BY AT LEAST SIX QUALIFIED VOTERS. A COPY
   41  OF SUCH NOTICE SHALL BE PUBLICLY READ AT EACH  OF  THE  TWO  CONSECUTIVE
   42  MAIN WORSHIP SERVICES, OF SUCH UNINCORPORATED CHURCH PRECEDING THE MEET-
   43  ING  TO  INCORPORATE, BY THE MINISTER OF SUCH CHURCH, OR IF NONE, BY THE
   44  CHURCH MEMBER WHO HAS BEEN DESIGNATED BY THE MEMBERSHIP OR OTHER AUTHOR-
   45  IZED BODY OF THE CHURCH TO CONDUCT THE WORSHIP  SERVICE  THAT  DAY  (THE
   46  "OFFICIATING  MINISTER");  AND  AT LEAST FIFTEEN DAYS BEFORE THE MEETING
   47  FOR INCORPORATION, A COPY OF SUCH NOTICE SHALL BE POSTED AT THE PLACE OF
   48  WORSHIP.
   49    S 484. MEETING FOR INCORPORATION. 1. AT THE MEETING FOR  INCORPORATION
   50  HELD  IN PURSUANCE OF SUCH NOTICE, ONLY QUALIFIED VOTERS SHALL BE ELIGI-
   51  BLE TO VOTE.
   52    2. THE PRESENCE OF ONE-THIRD OF THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OR SIX  QUALIFIED
   53  VOTERS,  WHICHEVER  NUMBER IS HIGHER, SHALL BE NECESSARY TO CONSTITUTE A
   54  QUORUM OF SUCH MEETING. THE ACTION OF THE MEETING  UPON  ANY  MATTER  OR
   55  QUESTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY A MAJORITY OF THE QUALIFIED VOTERS PRESENT.
       A. 8122                             8
    1    3.  THE  MINISTER OF THE CHURCH, OR IF NONE, THE OFFICIATING MINISTER,
    2  SHALL ACT AS PRESIDING  OFFICER  OF  THE  MEETING  TO  INCORPORATE.  THE
    3  PRESIDING OFFICER SHALL CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER AND SHALL BE THE JUDGE
    4  OF THE QUALIFICATION OF VOTERS.
    5    4.  SUCH  MEETING  SHALL  DECIDE BY BALLOT WHETHER THE CHURCH SHALL BE
    6  INCORPORATED, THE NAME OF THE PROPOSED CORPORATION,  THE  NAMES  OF  THE
    7  INITIAL TRUSTEES, AND THE DATE, NOT MORE THAN FIFTEEN MONTHS THEREAFTER,
    8  ON WHICH THE FIRST ANNUAL ELECTION OR AFFIRMATION OF THE TRUSTEES THERE-
    9  OF  AFTER  SUCH  MEETING SHALL BE HELD.   THE TRUSTEES SHALL HOLD OFFICE
   10  UNTIL THEIR SUCCESSORS ARE ELECTED OR AFFIRMED.
   11    5. AT THE MEETING FOR INCORPORATION, A CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS  SHALL
   12  BE  ADOPTED SETTING FORTH A FORM OF CHURCH GOVERNANCE THAT IS CONSISTENT
   13  WITH SECTION FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY-FIVE OF THIS ARTICLE.
   14    S 485. CHURCH GOVERNANCE. 1. A CHURCH INCORPORATED UNDER THIS  SECTION
   15  SHALL  PROVIDE  IN ITS CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OR BY-LAWS FOR TRUS-
   16  TEES TO BE ELECTED OR APPOINTED AT LARGE, OR BY VIRTUE OF THEIR  OFFICE.
   17  THERE  SHALL  BE A MINIMUM OF THREE TRUSTEES. TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE,
   18  TERMS OF OFFICE SHALL BE FOR THREE YEARS AND  STAGGERED.  TERMS  MAY  BE
   19  CONSECUTIVE.
   20    2. PROVISION SHALL ALSO BE MADE IN ITS CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OR
   21  BY-LAWS  FOR  OFFICERS  OF THE CORPORATION TO BE ELECTED OR APPOINTED AT
   22  LARGE OR BY VIRTUE OF THEIR OFFICE. THE PRESIDENT  AND  SECRETARY  SHALL
   23  NOT BE THE SAME PERSON. TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE, TERMS OF OFFICE SHALL
   24  BE FOR THREE YEARS AND STAGGERED.  TERMS MAY BE CONSECUTIVE.
   25    3. PROVISION SHALL ALSO BE MADE IN ITS CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OR
   26  BY-LAWS FOR SPIRITUAL OVERSIGHT OF THE CHURCH BY AN ELDERSHIP BOARD OR A
   27  SENIOR  IMAM, MOULVI, MAULANA OR SOME COMBINATION OF THE ABOVE. TERMS OF
   28  OFFICE MAY BE DEFINITE OR INDEFINITE AS THE BY-LAWS MAY SPECIFY.
   29    4. PROVISION SHALL ALSO BE MADE IN ITS CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OR
   30  BY-LAWS FOR PERIODIC AFFIRMATION OF APPOINTIVE POSITIONS BY A DESIGNATED
   31  BODY OR BOARD.
   32    S 486. CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION. 1. IF AT THE MEETING FOR INCORPO-
   33  RATION IT SHALL BE DECIDED THAT SUCH UNINCORPORATED CHURCH SHALL  BECOME
   34  INCORPORATED,  THE PRESIDING OFFICER OF THE MEETING AND TWO OTHERS SHALL
   35  EXECUTE AND ACKNOWLEDGE A CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, IN  WHICH  SHALL
   36  BE  STATED  THE  NAME  OR TITLE BY WHICH SUCH BODY SHALL BE KNOWN IN THE
   37  LAW; THE PURPOSE OF ITS ORGANIZATION; THE NAMES  AND  ADDRESSES  OF  THE
   38  INITIAL  TRUSTEES, THE COUNTY, TOWN OR CITY IN WHICH ITS PRINCIPAL PLACE
   39  OF WORSHIP IS OR IS INTENDED TO BE LOCATED; AND  A  STATEMENT  THAT  THE
   40  CHURCH IS IN AFFILIATION WITH THE ISLAMIC FAITH.
   41    2. ON FILING SUCH CERTIFICATE IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK OF THE
   42  COUNTY  IN  WHICH THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OR PLACE OF WORSHIP OF THE CORPO-
   43  RATION IS OR IS INTENDED TO BE LOCATED, SUCH CHURCH SHALL  BE  A  CORPO-
   44  RATION BY THE NAME STATED IN THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION.
   45    S 487. REINCORPORATION OF PRESENT INCORPORATED CHURCHES. 1. ANY CHURCH
   46  HERETOFORE  INCORPORATED MAY, SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS AND LIMITATIONS OF
   47  EXISTING LAWS, REINCORPORATE UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF  THIS  ARTICLE,  BY
   48  FILING IN THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE IN THE COUNTY IN WHICH ITS PRINCIPAL
   49  PLACE  OF  WORSHIP IS LOCATED, A CERTIFICATE, SIGNED AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY
   50  ALL THE TRUSTEES OF SAID CHURCH IN OFFICE AT THE TIME OF SUCH REINCORPO-
   51  RATION, SETTING FORTH THAT THE SAID CHURCH BY A  MAJORITY  VOTE  OF  THE
   52  MEMBERS  PRESENT  AT  A DULY CALLED MEETING OF THE MEMBERSHIP, AS DETER-
   53  MINED BY THE BY-LAWS OF THE EXISTING CORPORATION, DESIRES TO  REINCORPO-
   54  RATE  UNDER  THE  PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE. SUCH CERTIFICATE SHALL SET
   55  FORTH THOSE ITEMS SPECIFIED IN SECTION FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY-SIX  OF  THIS
   56  ARTICLE.
       A. 8122                             9
    1    2.  THE  REINCORPORATED  CORPORATION SHALL BE DEEMED A CONTINUATION OF
    2  THE PREVIOUSLY ORGANIZED CORPORATION, BUT THEREAFTER IT SHALL HAVE  ONLY
    3  SUCH  RIGHTS  AND  POWERS AND BE SUBJECT ONLY TO SUCH OBLIGATIONS AS ANY
    4  CORPORATION CREATED UNDER THIS  ARTICLE,  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  THAT  ALL
    5  PROPERTY  RIGHTS AND LIABILITIES OF THE PREVIOUSLY ORGANIZED CORPORATION
    6  SHALL BE VESTED IN AND ASSUMED BY THE  REINCORPORATED  CORPORATION.  THE
    7  CORPORATE  BY-LAWS  AND OFFICERS OF THE REINCORPORATED CORPORATION SHALL
    8  BE THE SAME AS THOSE OF ITS PREDECESSOR UNTIL CHANGED  PURSUANT  TO  THE
    9  SAID  BY-LAWS,  PROVIDED  THEY CONFORM TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION FOUR
   10  HUNDRED EIGHTY-FIVE OF THIS ARTICLE.
   11    S 488. TIME, PLACE AND NOTICE OF CORPORATE MEETINGS.  1.  THE  BY-LAWS
   12  SHALL  MAKE  PROVISION  FOR  AN  ANNUAL CORPORATE MEETING AND FOR GIVING
   13  APPROPRIATE NOTICE TO EACH VOTING MEMBER OF THE DATE AND PLACE  OF  EACH
   14  SUCH MEETING.
   15    2.  NOTICES OF ANY SPECIAL MEETING SHALL STATE THE PURPOSE OR PURPOSES
   16  FOR WHICH THE MEETING IS CALLED AND NO BUSINESS SHALL BE  TRANSACTED  AT
   17  SUCH SPECIAL MEETING EXCEPT THAT CONTAINED IN SUCH NOTICE.
   18    S 489. CORPORATE MEETINGS. 1. EACH CHURCH SHALL DETERMINE THE REQUIRE-
   19  MENTS  FOR A QUORUM IN THEIR BY-LAWS THAT SHALL NOT EXCEED FIFTY PERCENT
   20  OF THE MEMBERS.
   21    2. THE ACTION OF THE MEETING UPON ANY  MATTER  OR  QUESTION  SHALL  BE
   22  DECIDED IN A MANNER PROVIDED BY THE BY-LAWS.
   23    3.  THE  PRESIDING  OFFICER  OF  ANY MEETING SHALL BE THE SENIOR IMAM,
   24  MOULVI OR MAULANA OF THE CHURCH OR IF NONE, AS SHALL BE SET FORTH IN THE
   25  BY-LAWS OF THE CHURCH.
   26    S 5. This act shall take effect immediately.