(a) Any cemetery association, organized as provided by law, may, by vote of the directors or members of such association, set aside the surplus funds of such association as a perpetual fund. Such fund shall be invested in accordance with the provisions of the statutes concerning the investment of trust funds. Such fund, together with any donation received by an ecclesiastical society or cemetery association pursuant to section 19a-303, shall be under the control, management and supervision of a committee of not fewer than three persons elected by such association or society. Such ecclesiastical society or cemetery association shall meet at least once annually. The treasurer of such society or association shall be, ex officio, the treasurer of such committee, and shall give bond, with surety, to the satisfaction of such committee, for the faithful discharge of his duties. He shall expend the income from such fund or donation for the management, care and maintenance of any cemetery owned or controlled by such ecclesiastical society or cemetery association, or for the purpose set forth in the instrument or declaration of trust regulating the use of such donation or fund if such instrument or declaration of trust should otherwise provide, at the times and in the manner designated by such society or association. The treasurer shall annually, on or before July first, make a report to such society or association, stating the income received, to whom it has been paid, the amount and condition of the fund and how it is invested. A copy of such report shall be filed with the probate court for the district within which the cemetery owned or controlled by the society or association is located. Any treasurer who fails to file such report with the probate court shall be fined not more than fifty dollars.

(b) Any interested party may petition the probate court having jurisdiction under this section to require an accounting by the treasurer. The court may, after hearing, with notice to all interested parties, grant the petition and require an accounting for such periods of time as it determines are reasonable and necessary on finding that: (1) The petitioner has an interest in the fund sufficient to entitle him to an accounting; (2) cause has been shown that an accounting is necessary; and (3) the petition is not for the purpose of harassment. The court shall cause notice of the hearing on the account be given to such parties and in such manner as it directs.

(c) The action to submit an accounting to the court shall not subject the fund to the continuing jurisdiction of the court.

(d) Upon the allowance of any such account, the court shall determine the rights of the parties, subject to appeal as in other cases.

(1949 Rev., S. 4714; 1953, S. 2359d; P.A. 98-219, S. 12.)

History: Sec. 19-152 transferred to Sec. 19a-301 in 1983; P.A. 98-219 added Subsecs. (b), (c) and (d) re petition of Probate Court to require accounting of perpetual fund by Treasurer.