H 1692 Massachusetts House · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act improving medical decision making

This bill establishes clear rules for who can make medical decisions on behalf of a person who cannot make their own choices (an "incapacitated person"). It creates a priority list for surrogate decision makers (spouse, adult children, parents, siblings, then others) and requires them to provide a written declaration under penalty of perjury. The bill specifies criteria for selecting the best surrogate based on their relationship, knowledge of the person's values, and availability, while banning certain individuals (like treating staff) from serving. It applies when advance directives or medical orders are missing, invalid, or not applicable, and limits surrogate authority to 90 days or the current treatment episode.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 27, 2025 Last action Oct 14, 2025
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
5
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Feb 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Committee
Referred to the committee on The Judiciary
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Carole Fiola
Carole Fiola
DDemocratic
MA
6th Bristol