Bill > H1489

This bill aims to improve medical decision-making for incapacitated individuals who do not have a valid advance directive or court-appointed guardian. The key provisions include: 1. Defining key terms like "incapacitated person," "attending physician," and "qualified individual" to establish the scope and applicability of the bill. 2. Allowing surrogate decision-makers, in the order of priority (spouse, adult child, parent, adult sibling, etc.), to make medical decisions for incapacitated individuals without having to go through the court process, as long as the decisions conform to the individual's known wishes or their best interests. 3. Outlining the process for identifying and selecting a surrogate decision-maker, including the criteria for determining the most qualified individual. 4. Granting certain protections to healthcare providers who rely on and carry out a surrogate's decisions, as long as they act with due care and in accordance with the provisions of the bill. 5. Providing a mechanism for interested parties to initiate a special proceeding in court to remove a surrogate decision-maker or override their decision if it is made in bad faith or not in accordance with the standards set forth in the bill. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the medical decision-making process for incapacitated individuals and provide clear guidance and protections for both surrogates and healthcare providers.