Next of Kin Legislation

On March 27, Governor Evers signed into law 2025 Wisconsin Act 115, which makes updates to s.50.06.

The aim of the new law is to make it easier for family members to help their loved ones gain access to prompt post-acute care if they are found to lack medical capacity while in a hospital, and have not filled out a health care power of attorney. 

According to the American Bar Association, at least 46 states have similar “next-of-kin” laws already on the books recognizing the importance of surrogate decision-making for patients without previously appointed health care decisionmakers.

Learn more about how expanding “next-of-kin” authority could help improve care in Wisconsin:

One-Pager WHA Responses to Concerns on Next-of-Kin Legislation Legislative Council Amendment Memo Passage of Next-of-Kin Legislation Press Release


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