An Act improving medical decision making

This bill establishes a clear legal process for making medical decisions for incapacitated adults in Massachusetts who do not have a valid advance directive or a 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 court system, provided they consult with the patient's attending physician. The law sets a specific order of priority for who can serve as a surrogate and requires these individuals to make choices based on the patient's known values or, if unknown, their best interests. Additionally, the bill clarifies that these surrogates can authorize transfers to nursing facilities but cannot commit patients to inpatient mental health facilities.