PART A

Sec. A-1. 9 MRSA §5002, as enacted by PL 1977, c. 488, §1, is amended to read:

§5002. Intent

It is the intent of the Legislature to require the registration and financial reporting of charitable organizations, the registration and bonding of professional fund-raising counsels counsel and commercial co-venturers and the registration of professional solicitors.

Sec. A-2. 9 MRSA §5003, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1983, c. 277, §1, is further amended to read:

1. Charitable organization. "Charitable organization" means any person or entity, including any person or entity organized in a foreign state, which that is or holds itself out to be organized or operated for any charitable purpose and which or that solicits, accepts or obtains contributions from the public for any charitable purpose. A chapter, branch, area office or similar affiliate or any person soliciting contributions for any charitable purpose within the State for a charitable organization which that has its principal place of business outside the State shall be is considered a charitable organization for the purposes of this Act. For purposes of this chapter, an organization established for and serving bona fide religious purposes is not a charitable organization.

Sec. A-3. 9 MRSA §5003, sub-§3-A, as enacted by PL 1981, c. 456, Pt. A, §23, is amended to read:

3-A. Commissioner. "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Business Professional and Financial Regulation.

Sec. A-4. 9 MRSA §5003, sub-§4-A is enacted to read:

4-A.__Entity.__"Entity" means any natural person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association or any other organization.

Sec. A-5. 9 MRSA §5003, sub-§5-C, as enacted by PL 1979, c. 678, §1, is amended to read:

5-C. Hospital. "Hospital" means an institution which that is engaged primarily in providing inpatient, outpatient or both inpatient and outpatient medical and psychiatric diagnostic and