(a) Formation of benefit company.--A benefit company shall be formed in accordance with section 8821 (relating to formation of limited liability company and certificate of organization) except that its certificate of organization shall also state that it is a benefit company.

(b) Election of benefit company status.--An existing limited liability company may elect to become a benefit company by amending its certificate of organization so that it contains, in addition to the requirements of section 8821, a statement that the company is a benefit company. The amendment shall not be effective unless it is adopted by at least the minimum status vote.

(c) Election of status in a fundamental transaction.--If an association that is not a benefit company is a party to a merger or division or is the exchanging association in an interest exchange, and the surviving, new or any resulting association in the merger, division or interest exchange is to be a benefit company, then the plan of merger, division or interest exchange shall not be effective unless it is adopted by the association by at least the minimum status vote.

(d) Termination of benefit company status.--A benefit company may terminate its status as a benefit company and cease to be subject to this subchapter by amending its certificate of organization to delete the provision required by subsection (a) or (b) to be stated in the certificate of organization of a benefit company. The amendment shall not be effective unless it is adopted by at least the minimum status vote.

(e) Termination of status in a fundamental transaction.--If a plan would have the effect of terminating the status of a limited liability company as a benefit company, the plan shall not be effective unless it is adopted by at least the minimum status vote. Any sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of a benefit company, unless the transaction is in the usual and regular course of business, shall not be effective unless the transaction is approved by at least the minimum status vote.