(a) Each corporation which is subject (pursuant to the terms of the prior nonprofit law or some other specific statutory provision) to the prior nonprofit law shall, on and after January 1, 1980, be subject to the new public benefit corporation law, the new mutual benefit corporation law, or the new religious corporation law based on the following:
(1) Any corporation of a type designated by statute as being subject to the new public benefit corporation law, the new mutual benefit corporation law, or the new religious corporation law, shall be subject to such law.
(2) Any corporation organized primarily or exclusively for religious purposes shall be subject to the new religious corporation law.
(3) Any corporation which does not come within paragraphs 1 or 2 of this subdivision but which has received an exemption under Section 23701d of the Revenue and Taxation Code, shall be subject to the new public benefit corporation law.
(4) Any corporation which does not come within paragraphs 1, 2, or 3 of this subdivision and all of the assets of which are irrevocably dedicated to charitable or public purposes and which according to its articles or bylaws must upon dissolution distribute its assets to a person or persons carrying on a similar purpose or purposes shall be subject to the new public benefit corporation law.
(5) Any corporation which does not come within paragraphs 1, 2, 3 or 4 of this subdivision and which permits distribution of assets to its members upon dissolution shall be subject to the new mutual benefit corporation law.
(6) Any corporation not otherwise described in this subdivision shall be subject to the new mutual benefit corporation law.
(b) Prior to January 1, 1980, the Secretary of State’s office shall send a nonbinding, advisory notice to each corporation covered by subdivision (a) indicating the type of corporation it is, based on the rules set forth in subdivision (a) of this section.
(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), assets held by a mutual benefit corporation in charitable trust shall be administered in compliance with the provisions of the trust and in accordance with any standards applicable pursuant to Section 7238.
(d) A corporation may petition the superior court of the proper county to determine its status as a public benefit, mutual benefit or religious corporation in accordance with subdivision (a). Notice of the proceeding shall be given as the court may direct. Any member may intervene. Notice of the proceeding shall be served on the Attorney General who may intervene. A certified copy of any final judgment in any such proceeding shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
(e) The Secretary of State may, in carrying out any obligation arising under this article, require any information necessary on existing corporations from the Franchise Tax Board or other state agency.