Every society authorized to do business in this State shall appoint in writing an agent located in the State upon whom all lawful process in any action or proceeding against it is served and shall agree in writing that any lawful process against it that is served on the agent is of the same legal force and validity as if served upon the society and that the authority continues in force so long as any liability remains outstanding in this State. Copies of such appointment certified by the appointed agent are deemed sufficient evidence of the appointment and may be admitted in evidence with the same force and effect as the original.   [PL 1997, c. 592, §69 (AMD).]

Service may only be made upon the appointed agent or, if absent, upon the person in charge. It must be made in duplicate and constitutes sufficient service upon the society. When legal process against a society is served upon the appointed agent, the appointed agent shall forthwith forward one of the duplicate copies by registered mail, prepaid, directed to the secretary or corresponding officer. Legal process may not be served upon a society except as provided in this section.   [PL 1997, c. 592, §69 (AMD).]