Section 15. Notwithstanding any provisions herein to the contrary, nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require a private facility to honor an agent's health care decision that the facility would not honor if the decision had been made by the principal because the decision is contrary to a formally adopted policy of the facility that is expressly based on religious beliefs and the facility would be permitted by law to refuse to honor the decision if made by the principal, provided:
(a) the facility has informed the patient or the health care agent of such policy prior to or upon admission, if reasonably possible; and
(b) the patient is transferred to another equivalent facility that is reasonably accessible to the patient's family and willing to honor the agent's decision. If the facility or the agent is unable to arrange such a transfer, the facility shall seek judicial guidance or honor the agent's decision.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations
Chapter 201d - Health Care Proxies
Section 2 - Appointment of Health Care Agents; Execution of Proxy; Alternate Agents
Section 3 - Eligibility to Serve as Agent
Section 5 - Authority of Agent
Section 6 - Incapacity of Patient; Regained Capacity
Section 7 - Revocation of Proxy
Section 8 - Liability of Health Care Providers and Agents
Section 9 - Liability for Health Care Costs
Section 10 - Coercion; Execution of Proxy
Section 11 - Foreign Proxies; Enforceability
Section 12 - Suicide or Mercy Killing
Section 13 - Pain Alleviation; Comfort Care Procedures
Section 14 - Physicians; Refusal to Honor Proxy
Section 15 - Private Facilities; Refusal to Honor Proxy