October 28, 2025
Mr. Suozzi (for himself and Mr. Murphy) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to seek an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a study on establishing a system for storing last wish documents, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Legacy Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. Study on establishing system for storing and retrieving last wish documents
(a) In general
The Secretary shall seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies under which the National Academies conduct a study on establishing and maintaining a national, confidential, and secure system for storing and retrieving by an authorized agent a last wish document of an individual, at no cost to such individual.
(b) Submission of status and results
The agreement entered into under subsection (a) shall require the National Academies to submit to the Secretary and Congress—
(1)
not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the status of the study conducted under such agreement; and
(2)
not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the results of the study conducted under such agreement.
(c) Definitions
In this Act:
(1) Last wish document
The term last wish document includes—
(A)
an advance directive;
(B)
an organ donor registration;
(C)
a healthcare or medical proxy;
(D)
a power of attorney; or
(E)
a living will.
(2) National Academies
The term National Academies means the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
(3) Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.