Form: 8-K

Current report filing

October 5, 2020

Documents

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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO
SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) October 5, 2020
BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
New Jersey
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
001-4802   22-0760120
(Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)
   
1 Becton Drive,  Franklin Lakes,
New Jersey
   07417-1880
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)
(201) 
847-6800
 (Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
N/A
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K Filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
 
☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230425)
☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Title of Each Class Trading Symbol
Name of each exchange on
which registered
Common stock, par value $1.00 BDX New York Stock Exchange
Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/20th interest in a share of 6.00% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series B BDXB New York Stock Exchange
1.000% Notes due December 15, 2022 BDX22A New York Stock Exchange
1.900% Notes due December 15, 2026 BDX26 New York Stock Exchange
1.401% Notes due May 24, 2023 BDX23A New York Stock Exchange
3.020% Notes due May 24, 2025 BDX25 New York Stock Exchange
0.174% Notes due June 4, 2021 BDX/21 New York Stock Exchange
0.632% Notes due June 4, 2023 BDX/23A New York Stock Exchange
1.208% Notes due June 4, 2026 BDX/26A New York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company 
☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐




Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

On September 29, 2020, Article II, Section 2.C. of the By-Laws of Becton,Dickinson and Company (“BD”) relating to special shareholder meetings was amended to 1) eliminate the ability of BD’s President to call a special meeting, 2) clarify what types of ownership count towards the ownership threshold required to call a special meeting, 3) add requirements to update the information included in any special meeting request, including changes in ownership, and 4) provide that a special meeting will not be held if (a) the meeting request is delivered during the period commencing 90 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders and ending on the earlier of (x) the date of the next annual meeting or (y) 30 days after the first anniversary of the date of the previous annual meeting and (b) the BD board has called or will call for an annual or special meeting of shareholders within 30 days after the request is received and has determined that the business to be conducted at such meeting includes an identical or substantially similar item of business .

In addition, on the same date, Article II, Section 2.D of the By-laws, relating to advance notice of nominations and other business at annual shareholders meetings, was amended to expand the information required to be provided with respect to any nominee for director.

A copy of BD’s By-Laws, as amended as of September 29, 2020, is filed as Exhibit 3.1 hereto, the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.




Exhibits

Exhibit No.    Description of Exhibit

3.1        By-laws, as amended as of September 29, 2020






SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY
(Registrant)
By: /s/ Gary DeFazio
  Gary DeFazio
  Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary
Date: October 5, 2020