(a) Registration and approval required.--No person shall act as a professional fundraising counsel before obtaining department approval of a registration statement pursuant to subsection (c) or after the expiration, suspension or revocation of such registration. A registration application shall be signed and be made by the principal officer of the professional fundraising counsel subject to 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904 (relating to unsworn falsification to authorities) and shall contain all of the following information:

(b) Registration fee.--The application for registration shall be accompanied by a fee of $250. A professional fundraising counsel which is a partnership or corporation may register for and pay a single fee on behalf of all of its partners, members, officers, directors, agents and employees. Each registration shall be valid for one year and may be renewed for additional one-year periods upon application to the department and payment of the registration fee.

(c) Department review of registration statement.--The department shall examine each registration statement and supporting documents filed by a professional fundraising counsel and shall determine whether the registration requirements are satisfied. If the department determines that the registration requirements are not satisfied, the department must notify the professional fundraising counsel within 15 working days of its receipt of its registration statement; otherwise the registration statement is deemed to be approved. Within 15 days after receipt of a notification that the registration requirements are not satisfied, the professional fundraising counsel may request a hearing. The hearing must be held within 15 days of receipt of the request, and a determination must be rendered within three working days of the hearing.

(d) Written contract.--There shall be a written contract between a charitable organization and a professional fundraising counsel which shall be filed by the professional fundraising counsel with the department at least ten working days prior to the performance by the professional fundraising counsel of any service. No solicitation or services pursuant to the contract shall begin before the department has approved the contract pursuant to subsection (e). The contract must be signed by two authorized officials of the charitable organization, one of whom must be a member of the organization's governing body, and the authorized contracting officer for the professional fundraising counsel. The contract shall contain all of the following provisions:

(e) Department review of contract.--The department shall examine each contract filed by a professional fundraising counsel and shall determine whether the contract contains the required information. If the department determines that the requirements are not satisfied, the department must notify the professional fundraising counsel within ten working days of its receipt of the contract; otherwise the contract is deemed to be approved. Within seven days after receipt of a notification that the requirements are not satisfied, the professional fundraising counsel may request a hearing. The hearing must be held within seven days of receipt of the request, and a determination must be rendered within three working days of the hearing.