S 1047 Massachusetts Senate · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act improving medical decision making

This bill establishes a clear process for appointing surrogates to make medical decisions when an adult becomes unable to do so themselves (e.g., due to illness or injury) and lacks a valid advance directive like a Health Care Proxy. It defines "surrogate" as a family member or close friend familiar with the person’s values, who must act based on what the person would have wanted, or if unknown, in their best interests. Health care providers must first check for existing directives, then follow a priority order (spouse, adult children, parents, close friends) to identify a surrogate, and require a written declaration from them. The bill aims to avoid court involvement in these decisions while ensuring surrogates consider the patient’s beliefs and well-being.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Oct 2025
House Passage
Feb 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 27, 2025 Last action Oct 14, 2025
Floor votes

How they voted

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

Actions timeline

Total actions
5
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Oct 9, 2025
Upper · Passed
Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
House concurred
lower
Feb 27, 2025
Committee
Referred to the committee on The Judiciary
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Cynthia Creem
Cynthia Creem
DDemocratic
MA
Norfolk and Middlesex