The proposed bill seeks to adopt the Uniform Health-Care Decisions Act in Nebraska, creating a structured framework for advance health-care directives and decision-making. It introduces essential definitions such as "advance health-care directive," "agent," "capacity," and "surrogate," clarifying the roles of individuals involved in health-care decisions. The bill emphasizes the presumption of individual capacity in making health-care choices and outlines the process for determining capacity, ensuring individuals are informed of findings regarding their capacity and can object to them. It also includes provisions for the appointment of agents and default surrogates, establishing a hierarchy for decision-making when an agent is unavailable.

Additionally, the bill addresses the validity of electronic advance health-care directives, ensuring they are recognized and enforceable. It outlines the responsibilities of agents and surrogates, emphasizing their fiduciary duty to act in accordance with the individual's known preferences. The legislation prohibits falsifying or coercing individuals regarding their directives and sets penalties for violations. Importantly, it clarifies that the act does not permit mercy killing, assisted suicide, or euthanasia, and affirms that advance directives created before the act's effective date remain valid if they comply with the new provisions. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the clarity and effectiveness of health-care decision-making for individuals unable to advocate for themselves.