Art. 658. Reinstatement Or Restoration By Lodge. Petition And Vote. The Lodge having jurisdiction may, by a favorable ballot of the members of said Lodge present, reinstate or restore, as the case may be, a suspended or expelled Mason. A written petition for such reinstatement or restoration, signed by the petitioner, must be filed with the Secretary and presented to the Lodge reciting facts showing that he has made expiation for his offense and has discharged the terms and conditions of his sentence, including completion of probation, parole, or supervised release; said petition shall be read at the first stated meeting of the Lodge after it is filed. The Worshipful Master shall appoint a committee on investigation which shall report its findings and recommendations at a subsequent stated meeting of the Lodge whereupon a ballot shall be taken upon said petition. Only members of the Lodge in attendance may vote. In balloting on a suspended or expelled Mason for reinstatement or restoration, other than for non-payment of dues, three black balls shall reject for one year, four blackballs for two years and five or more blackballs for three years. Protests shall be allowed in accordance with Article 660, and the ballot shall be announced accordingly.
Notwithstanding the above, any member who is found guilty of, or who enters a plea of guilty, or of no contest to the charge of pedophilia or related charges (such as Indecency with a Child by sexual contact or any other means, Aggravated Sexual Assault with a child by any means and Sexual Assault with a Child by any means) and having been previously expelled from Masonry, shall not be considered for reinstatement or restoration of any Masonic membership and said member shall be expelled from Masonry for life and never again be considered for any Masonic related activity or membership. Any current Member having been charged and found guilty of, or having pleaded no contest to charges of pedophilia (such as Indecency with a Child by sexual contact or any other means, Aggravated Sexual Assault with a child by any means, Sexual Assault with a Child by any means) shall be expelled immediately, for life, from this Grand Jurisdiction. (Adopted, 2003)
