17:48-12. Examination of assets and liabilities and affairs; expenses; duty to exhibit books, records and accounts

The Commissioner of Banking and Insurance shall have the power, whenever he deems it expedient, to make or cause to be made an examination of the assets and liabilities, method of conducting business and all other affairs of every hospital service corporation authorized or which has made application for authority to transact business under the provisions of this act. For the purpose of such examination the commissioner may authorize and employ such persons to conduct the same or to assist therein as he may deem advisable, which examination may be conducted in any State in which the corporation examined has an office, agent or place of business.

The reasonable expense of such examination shall be fixed and determined by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance, and he shall collect the same from the corporation examined, which shall pay same on presentation of a detailed account of such expense. In case any corporation, after such examination, shall be adjudged by the Superior Court to be insolvent, the expense of such examination, if unpaid, shall be ordered paid out of the assets of the corporation. No corporation shall, either directly or indirectly, pay, by way of gift, credit or otherwise, any other or further sum to the commissioner or to any person in the employ of the Department of Banking and Insurance, for extra service or for purposes of legislation, or for any purpose whatsoever.

It shall be the duty of the officers, agents and employees of any such corporation to exhibit all its books, records and accounts for the purpose of such examination, and otherwise to facilitate the same so far as it may be in their power to do so, and for that purpose the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance, and his deputies, assistants and employees shall have the power to examine, under oath, the officers, agents and employees of any such corporation relative to its business and affairs.

L.1938, c. 366, p. 931, s. 12. Amended by L.1953, c. 17, p. 290, s. 178.