MA H4852

Establishes a legal framework for supported decision-making agreements, allowing adults with disabilities to designate one or more supporters to help them make life decisions about housing, medical care, finances, and employment without surrendering decision-making authority to a guardian

Requires the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to create a training program on supported decision-making within 6 months of passage, with input from agencies including the Department of Developmental Services, Department of Mental Health, and disability advocacy organizations

Mandates that IEP teams inform students and families about the Office of Adult Guardianship and Conservatorship Oversight at the first IEP meeting after a student turns 16, and requires guardianship petitions to address why a supported decision-making agreement would not suffice

Establishes safeguards including: supporters must be 18+, cannot have abuse allegations against them, cannot make decisions for the decision-maker or sign documents on their behalf, must avoid conflicts of interest, and agreements are limited to 3-year terms requiring notarized signatures

Creates a special legislative commission ("Authorization Documents Commission") to study expanding or creating online registries for supported decision-making agreements, with findings due by June 1, 2027