HR 5861119th CongressIn Committee

Legacy Act of 2025

Introduced: Oct 28, 2025

Sponsor: Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3] (D-New York)

HealthcareTechnology & Innovation

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This legislation mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services to commission the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a comprehensive study on establishing a national, confidential, and secure system for storing and retrieving last wish documents including advance directives, organ donor registrations, and living wills at no cost to individuals.

Key Points

1The Secretary of HHS must seek an agreement with the National Academies to study a national system for storing last wish documents with strict confidentiality and security requirements.
2The proposed system must allow authorized agents to retrieve documents like healthcare proxies and living wills without imposing any financial burden on individuals.
3The National Academies are required to submit interim study status updates to Congress within two years and final results within four years of the bill's enactment.

Impact Areas

Individuals creating advance healthcare directives and end-of-life documentsHealthcare providers and facilities accessing critical patient wishes during medical emergenciesThe National Academies conducting the mandated technical and operational studyDepartment of Health and Human Services overseeing system implementation and compliance

Generated by legislative_analysis_v3 on Nov 4, 2025