An Act expanding healthcare proxy access to medical records

This bill expands the authority of healthcare proxies in Massachusetts to access a principal's confidential medical records for up to six months after the principal's death, unless a personal representative has been appointed for the estate. The legislation clarifies that healthcare proxies retain the right to receive all medical information the principal could access during their lifetime, ensuring continuity of care for family members managing the deceased's health history. Additionally, the bill updates the conditions under which a healthcare proxy becomes invalid, specifically revoking the proxy's power upon the death of the principal, the appointment of an estate representative, or the expiration of the six-month post-death window. These changes aim to streamline the transfer of medical information to designated agents while establishing a clear timeline for when legal guardianship of medical records shifts to the estate's personal representative.