EXCESSIVE FEES PROHIBITED.

(a) A labor union or an officer, agent, or member of a labor union may not charge or receive initiation fees, dues, fines, or other assessments to create a fund that exceeds the reasonable requirements of the union in carrying out its lawful purposes or activities, if the fees, dues, fines, or other assessments create an undue hardship on an applicant for initiation to the union or on union members.

(b) Subsection (a) may not be construed to prevent dues or other assessments:

(1) for a purpose that is beneficial to union members according to established practice, including the maintenance or investment of funds for those beneficial purposes;

(2) if the members who contribute share in or may reasonably expect to share in the benefits, for:

(A) old age benefits;

(B) death and burial benefits;

(C) hospitalization, unemployment, health and accident, retirement, or other forms of mutual insurance;

(D) legislative representation;

(E) a grievance committee;

(F) gifts, floral offerings, or other charitable purposes; or

(G) any other legitimate purpose; or

(3) for placement in a fund to be used by the union in paying its members while they are on strike, if:

(A) initiation fees are not placed in the fund; and

(B) the fund remains under the members' control.

(c) This section shall be liberally construed to prevent excessive initiation fees.