Section 2156. Orphans’ Court Division

In addition to other matters which by law are to be heard and determined by the orphans’ court division of a court of common pleas, the division shall hear and determine the following matters:

(1) Nonprofit corporations: The administration and proper application of property committed to charitable purposes held or controlled by any domestic or foreign nonprofit corporation and all matters arising under Title 15 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (relating to corporations and unincorporated associations) or otherwise where is drawn in question the application, interpretation or enforcement of any law regulating the affairs of nonprofit corporations holding or controlling any property committed to charitable purposes, or of the members, security holders, directors, officers, employees or agents thereof, as such.

‘‘Property committed to charitable purposes’’ means all property committed to the relief of poverty, the advancement of education, the advancement of religion, the promotion of health, governmental or municipal purposes, and other purposes the accomplishment of which is beneficial to the community, except that the term does not include the property of any inter vivos trust jurisdiction of which was acquired by the court of common pleas prior to January 1, 1969 unless the president judge of the court orders the matter to be heard and determined in the orphans’ court division.

(2) Cemetery companies: Matters relating to cemetery companies under Title 9 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (relating to burial grounds).

Adopted and effective April 11, 1975.