An Act improving medical decision making

This bill establishes a clear legal process for making medical decisions for adults in Massachusetts who are incapacitated and lack a valid advance directive or court-appointed guardian. It allows qualified individuals, such as family members or friends, to act as surrogate decision-makers without needing to go through the courts, provided they consult with the attending physician. The law defines specific criteria for who can serve as a surrogate and outlines a priority order for selecting these individuals to ensure timely care. Additionally, the bill clarifies that surrogates must make decisions based on the patient's known values and intentions, while explicitly excluding authority to commit patients to inpatient mental health facilities.