(

a) A limited liability company is an entity distinct from its members. (

b) A limited liability company may have any lawful purpose, regardless of whether for profit, except the banking business, the business of issuing policies of insurance and assuming insurance risks, or the trust company business.

A domestic or foreign limited liability company may render services that may be lawfully rendered only pursuant to a license, certificate, or registration authorized by the Business and Professions Code, the Chiropractic Act, the Osteopathic Act, or the Yacht and Ship Brokers Act, if the applicable provisions of the Business and Professions Code, the Chiropractic Act, the Osteopathic Act, or the Yacht and Ship Brokers Act authorize a limited liability company or foreign limited liability company to hold that license, certificate, or registration. (

c) A limited liability company has perpetual duration. (

d) Notwithstanding subdivision (

b) and as specifically provided in this subdivision, a limited liability company may operate as a health care service plan licensed pursuant to

Chapter 2.2 (commencing with

Section 1340) of Division of the Health and Safety Code if the limited liability company is a subsidiary of a health care service plan licensed pursuant to those provisions and the limited liability company is established to serve an existing line of business of the parent health care service plan. Notwithstanding any other law, the tort or contract liability of a limited liability company created to operate as a health care service plan under this subdivision and its members is not limited or restricted in any manner because of the limited liability company status of the health care service plan. (

e) Nothing in this title shall be construed to permit a domestic or foreign limited liability company to render professional services, as defined in subdivision (

a) of

Section and in

Section 13401.3, in this state.