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S 155

An act relating to the use of automated traffic law enforcement (ATLE) systems by municipalities

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Randy Brock and 8 co-sponsors

Expands supported decision-making for adults with disabilities, guiding courts to prioritize SDM over guardianship and adding training, school notice, and formal SDM agreements.

Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Transportation
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Bill Summary · S 155

Summary — S.155 (MAILS Act)

An Act relative to authorizing supported decision-making agreements for certain adults with disabilities

Note on metadata: The bill text provided addresses supported decision-making (the “MAILS Act”) but some header lines (title, committees, sponsors) appear inconsistent or refer to a different subject (sex offender registration). This summary focuses on the substantive bill text supplied, which establishes supported decision‑making structures in Massachusetts law.

Purpose / Intent

The bill (called the Mandating Advisable and Informed Locations and Solutions Act, or MAILS Act) is intended to expand and authorize supported decision‑making (SDM) for adults with disabilities as an alternative to adult guardianship. It aims to preserve autonomy and self‑determination while providing a formal legal framework, training, and institutional support for SDM agreements.

Key provisions

  • Adds section 16F½ to Chapter 6A: directs the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) to establish an SDM training program. The training must:

    • Include instruction by state agencies (e.g., Department of Developmental Services, Department of Mental Health, Executive Office of Elder Affairs).
    • Cover rights and obligations under the new SDM law (chapter 190B §5‑602), and dispute resolution.
    • Be developed in consultation with stakeholders (Disability Law Center, medical and banking associations, adults who use SDM, supporters).
    • Be provided in accessible formats.

  • Amends Chapter 71B (special education / transition planning):

    • Requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), in consultation with DHE, to issue regulations directing school districts to inform students and families, as part of transition planning, about SDM as an alternative to guardianship beginning at age 16.
    • DESE must provide SDM training to schools and publish training materials and a sample form for supporters to request educational records.
    • The IEP team must inform students and families at the first IEP after age 16 about SDM and help locate resources to establish SDM plans.

  • Amends Chapter 190B (Probate Code / guardianship and family):

    • Modifies guardianship petition and procedures to require filing/copying any existing SDM agreement when a guardianship is sought (amendment to §5‑303).
    • Inserts new definitions and sections (proposed §5‑601, §5‑602) establishing SDM agreements:
    • Defines “adult,” “decision‑maker,” “supporter,” “supported decision‑making,” and “executed” (agreement signed by decision‑maker and supporters).
    • SDM agreements must be voluntary, written in plain, accessible language.
    • Decision‑makers may enter into, amend, or terminate SDM agreements at will.
    • Supporters must be age 18+, with statutory disqualifications (the bill text includes prohibitions such as persons against whom the decision‑maker alleged elder abuse — full list truncated in provided text).
    • The statute outlines supporters’ roles in assisting with life decisions (living arrangements, services, finances, medical care, employment, etc.).

Who is affected

  • Adults (age 18+) with disabilities who seek alternatives to guardianship.
  • Supporters chosen by decision‑makers.
  • Families, guardians, schools (IEP teams), state agencies (EOHHS, DESE, DDS, DMH, EOEA), and courts (probate & family).
  • Service providers and institutions (medical providers, banks) who will interact with SDM agreements and training materials.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Bill filed/introduced January 2025 (docket references: filed 1/16/2025; introduced 1/21/2025).
  • Legislative actions listed include referrals to committees (Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities; Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; reported favorably and sent to Senate Ways & Means; hearing scheduled 9/9/2025). Some action entries appear duplicated or inconsistent across the metadata.
  • Implementation would require EOHHS and DESE rulemaking, development of training materials, and agency consultations described in the bill.

Potential impact

  • Promotes less restrictive alternatives to guardianship, increasing self‑determination for adults with disabilities.
  • Likely increases demand for training, administrative resources at EOHHS/DESE, and supports for families and schools.
  • Courts will be required to consider existing SDM agreements in guardianship matters, potentially reducing the number of guardianships granted.
  • May require coordination with healthcare providers, banks, and schools to accept and recognize SDM agreements; training and stakeholder engagement in the bill anticipate those needs.

If you want, I can:
- Produce a one‑page fact sheet for families and schools explaining the SDM agreement process under this bill, or
- Draft suggested regulatory language DESE could use to implement the IEP notification requirement.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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