SECTION 19A. Designation as veterans' charitable organization

Any person or charitable organization established for an advocacy, benevolent, educational, humane, patriotic, philanthropic, scientific or social welfare purpose on behalf of veterans or the military that intends to solicit contributions from persons within the commonwealth or to have contributions solicited on its behalf by other charitable organizations shall, prior to such solicitation, apply for designation as a veterans' charitable organization on a form issued by the division that shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the name of the organization and the purpose for which it is organized; (ii) the address of the organization and the address of any offices in the commonwealth or, if the organization does not maintain an office, the name and address of the person having custody of its financial records; and (iii) the charitable purposes for which solicited contributions shall be used. The secretary of veterans' services shall publish on the department's website a list of the names of each veterans' charitable organization. Designation as a veterans' charitable organization shall be valid for 3 years. Any person or organization applying for designation as a veterans' charitable organization shall be exempt from any registration fee or renewal fee pursuant to section 19.