(a) A corporation electing to become a benefit corporation under this article in the manner prescribed in this article is subject in all respects to the provisions of this chapter, except to the extent this article imposes additional or different requirements, in which case those requirements apply. The inclusion of a provision in this article does not imply that a contrary or different rule of law applies to a corporation that is not a benefit corporation. This article does not affect a statute or rule of law that applies to a corporation that is not a benefit corporation.
(b) As used in this article:
(1) BENEFIT CORPORATION means a corporation that includes in its certificate of incorporation a statement that the corporation is subject to this article.
(2) PUBLIC BENEFIT means a positive effect, or reduction of negative effects, on one or more communities or categories of persons (other than stockholders solely in their capacity as stockholders) or on the environment, including effects of an artistic, charitable, economic, educational, cultural, literary, medical, religious, social, ecological, or scientific nature.
(3) PUBLIC BENEFIT PROVISION means a provision in the certificate of incorporation which states that the corporation shall pursue one or more identified public benefits.
(4) RESPONSIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE MANNER means a manner that:
(i) pursues through the business of the corporation the creation of a positive effect on society and the environment, taken as a whole, that is material taking into consideration the corporation's size and the nature of its business; and
(ii) considers, in addition to the interests of stockholders generally, the separate interests of stakeholders known to be affected by the conduct of the business of the corporation.
Last modified: May 3, 2021