Ohio Code § 3921.08

Ohio Code § 3921.08. Reproduced from the official Ohio Revised Code, with a citation summary, verification link, and related provisions.

§ 3921.08.

(A) The officers and members of the supreme governing body or any subordinate body of

a fraternal benefit society are not personally liable for any benefits provided by

a society. (B)(1) A person may be indemnified and reimbursed by a society for expenses reasonably incurred

by, and liabilities imposed upon, the person in connection with or arising out of

any civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative action, suit, or other proceeding,

or any threat of such a proceeding, in which the person is involved by reason of the

fact that the person served or is serving as a director, officer, employee, or agent

of the society or that the person served or is serving, at the request of the society,

as a director, officer, employee, or agent of any other firm, corporation, or organization. (2) A person shall not be indemnified or reimbursed in accordance with division (B)(1)

of this section in relation to any matter as to which the person is ultimately adjudged

to be or to have been civilly or criminally liable for a breach of duty as a director,

officer, employee, or agent of the society or to any matter that has been made the

subject of a compromise settlement, unless the person acted in good faith for a purpose

the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the

society and, if it is a criminal proceeding, the person had no reasonable cause to

believe that the person's conduct was unlawful. (3) The determination as to whether a person meets the standards of conduct set forth

in division (B)(2) of this section to qualify for indemnification and reimbursement

shall only be made by the supreme governing body, the board of directors by a majority

vote of a quorum consisting of persons who were not parties to the proceeding, or

a court of competent jurisdiction.  The termination of any such action, suit, or other proceeding by judgment, order,

settlement, or conviction, or upon a plea of no contest, shall not, in itself, create

a conclusive presumption that the person does not meet the standards of conduct required

to qualify for indemnification and reimbursement. (4) The right of indemnification and reimbursement shall not be exclusive of other rights

to which a person may be entitled as a matter of law, and shall inure to the benefit

of the person's heirs, executors, and administrators. (C) A society may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who served

or is serving as a director, officer, employee, or agent of the society, or who served

or is serving, at the request of the society, as a director, officer, employee, or

agent of any other firm, corporation, or organization, against any liability imposed

upon, or expenses incurred by, the person in that capacity or arising out of that

position, whether or not the society may, under division (B) of this section, indemnify

and reimburse the person for such liability or expenses. (D) No director, officer, employee, member, or volunteer of a society, who serves without

compensation, shall be liable, and no cause of action shall be brought, for damages

resulting from the exercise of the person's judgment or discretion in connection with

the duties or responsibilities of the person, unless the act or omission involves

willful or wanton misconduct.

Source: official Ohio text · Last verified 2026-08-27

At a glance

  • Citation: Ohio Revised Code § 3921.08
  • Jurisdiction: Ohio
  • Code: Ohio Revised Code
  • Text: transcribed from the official source (verify below)

Verify the text

Statute text is transcribed from the official Ohio Revised Code. Confirm it against the primary source before relying on it:

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed Ohio attorney.

Common questions

What is the source of Ohio Revised Code § 3921.08?

The text above is transcribed from the Ohio Revised Code, the codified statutes of Ohio. The official publisher link appears under "Verify the text" on this page.

What subject does Ohio Revised Code § 3921.08 address?

It addresses the rule set out in the section text. Read the section together with the surrounding provisions listed under "Nearby provisions" for the full picture.

Is Ohio Revised Code § 3921.08 still in force?

Statutes are amended, repealed, and renumbered every session. Confirm the current version at the official Ohio source before relying on this text.

Can this page be used as legal advice?

No. This is a reference transcription for research. Applying Ohio law to your facts requires a licensed Ohio attorney who can review the specifics.