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Read. Follow. Verify.Massachusetts legalizes supported decision-making agreements as an alternative to adult guardianship
Last action · October 16, 2025: Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and MeansSponsors: Joan Lovely and 20 others
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What This Bill Would Do
Massachusetts establishes a legal framework for agreements, allowing adults with disabilities to appoint supporters to help them make life decisions without losing their autonomy. The measure requires schools to inform students with disabilities and their families about these agreements during transition planning at age sixteen and mandates state agencies to create training and oversight programs.
Provides adults with disabilities and school-age students an alternative legal mechanism to , allowing them to retain decision-making authority while receiving assistance from designated supporters to access records and communicate choices.
- Supported decision-making is recognized across various jurisdictions as a tool that enables individuals with disabilities to retain their civil rights and make their own choices with the assistance of trusted advisors. context
- Adult guardianship historically served as the primary legal mechanism for managing the affairs of incapacitated individuals, often resulting in the complete removal of personal decision-making rights. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Adults with disabilities
Adults with disabilities gain the legal option to execute supported decision-making agreements to assist with life decisions as an alternative to guardianship.
Supporters
Supporters are bound by statutory duties to respect preferences, maintain confidentiality, act in good faith, and avoid conflicts of interest while assisting decision-makers.
School districts
School districts must inform students and families about supported decision-making at IEP meetings starting at age 16 and provide training materials.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a supporter make legal or medical decisions on behalf of the decision-maker?
What is the maximum duration of a supported decision-making agreement?
At what age must schools inform students about supported decision-making?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
4 actions- Oct 16, 2025SenateCommitteeBill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
- Aug 27, 2025JointHearing scheduled for 09/09/2025 from 1:00 PM-5:00 PM in B-2
- Feb 27, 2025HouseHouse concurred
- Feb 27, 2025SenateCommitteeReferred to the committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Show 16 more sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Codification of Alternative to Guardianship
The bill formally integrates supported decision-making into probate law (Chapter 190B) and school transition planning (Chapter 71B), marking a shift toward less restrictive autonomy supports.
Connected Entities
Sources
malegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance85How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy15Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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