What is SDMC?
The Surrogate Decision-Making Committee (SDMC) program is an alternative to the court system and is authorized to provide consent for non-emergency major medical treatment and end-of-life care decisions for people who qualify. Our program consists of volunteer panels that make the decision, providing for quicker, more accessible, cost-free, and personalized decision on behalf of individuals receiving services.
What decisions can be made?
Medical, surgical, dental, or diagnostic interventions or procedures which involve:
- The use of a general anesthetic
- Any significant invasion of bodily integrity requiring an incision or producing substantial pain, discomfort, debilitation, or having a significant recovery period
- Significant risk (e.g., colonoscopies, endoscopies, MRIs, CT Scans with contrast)
- Chemotherapy
- Hospice
- Withdrawal or withholding of life sustaining treatment for persons with an intellectual or developmental disability
- Any other treatment or procedure for which informed consent is required by law
What treatment is excluded by law from the SDMC program?
- Routine diagnosis or treatment including the administration of routine medications
- Dental care performed under a local anesthetic
- Emergency medical treatment
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
- Withdrawal or discontinuation of life-sustaining medical treatment except as provided in the Health Care Decisions Act for persons with an intellectual or developmental disability
- Sterilization
- Termination of pregnancy
If you would like to learn more about the medical decisions that are covered under SDMC, eligibility criteria, and which forms to complete when requesting a decision, please review the SDMC Services Video.
Who is Eligible?
SDMC considers major medical treatment decisions and end of life care decisions for certain individuals who are unable to provide informed consent and have no authorized, willing, and available surrogate to act on their behalf.
Who is eligible?
Major medical
Individuals believed to be incapable of providing informed consent, have no surrogate authorized to act on their behalf, and:
- Currently reside or have formerly resided in a residential program operated, licensed, approved, or funded by the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), the Office of Mental Health (OMH), or the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS); or
- Currently or previously receive(d) individual support, case management, family care or day programs approved or funded by OPWDD.
End of life care decisions
SDMC was granted jurisdiction to provide end of life care decisions for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities through an amendment to the Health Care Decisions Act in 2008.
When is a person considered to be incapable of providing consent?
If an individual is unable to assess the risks, benefits, and alternatives to a proposed medical treatment, including the risks of non-treatment, they are therefore unable to make an informed decision to consent or refuse such treatment.
SDMC Panels and Hearings
Who serves on SDMC panels?
A panel is made up of volunteers appointed by the Justice Center who serve their home communities throughout New York State. A hearing panel must consist of at least three, and no more than four members.
The panels are made up of one member from each of the following categories:
- NYS Licensed Health Care Professional (e.g., physician, nurse, clinical social worker)
- NYS Attorney
- Former patients or family members of individuals with mental disabilities
- Advocate for persons with mental disabilities (e.g., persons with recognized expertise or demonstrated interest in the care and treatment or individuals with behavioral health or developmental disabilities)
What determinations must the SDMC panels make?
Panels will make as many as three decisions:
- Determination of the individual’s ability to consent to or refuse the proposed major medical treatment decision.
- Determination of whether there is an authorized surrogate who is willing and available to consent to or refuse the proposed major medical procedure on behalf of the individual.
- Determination of whether the proposed major medical treatment decision is in the best interest of the patient.
The panel makes these decisions in this order to protect the individual’s rights. In all cases, the individual will be seen by the panel or one of its members before a decision is made.
What is an SDMC hearing like?
The SDMC hearing is a quasi-judicial hearing, with procedures that are more informal than a court/judicial trial. The hearing will take place at a location convenient to the individual in need of a decision, usually in a community-based setting. To understand the SDMC hearing process, please view the SDMC Mock Hearing video.
Apply for a Major Medical Care Determination
To have the Surrogate Decision-Making Committee consider a Major Medical case, you must submit all four of the SDMC 200-series forms. Additional supporting information must be obtained from the facility or program where the individual resides (see 200 Form for details).
Scroll to the Resources section for guidance materials and sample forms. Please call SDMC for assistance if you have any questions about the paperwork or request.
-
SDMC Major Medical Packet (SDMC 200-Series Forms)
Packet of all forms required to request Major Medical Care through SDMC (SDMC Form 200, 210, 220-A, and 220-B)
Download
-
Declaration for Major Medical Treatment (SDMC Form 200)
Declaration for Major Medical Treatment (SDMC Form 200)
Download
-
Certification on Capacity for Major Medical Treatment (SDMC Form 210)
Certification on Capacity for Major Medical Treatment (SDMC Form 210)
Download
-
Certification on Need for Major Medial Treatment (SDMC Form 220-A)
Certification on Need for Major Medial Treatment (SDMC Form 220-A)
Download
-
Related Medical Information for Major Medical Treatment (SDMC Form 220-B)
Related Medical Information for Major Medical Treatment (SDMC Form 220-B)
Download
Apply for an End of Life Care Determination
To have the Surrogate Decision-Making Committee consider an End of Life Care case, you must submit all four of the SDMC 300-series Forms (available for download below as a packet or individual forms). Additional supporting information must be obtained from the facility or program where the individual resides (see 300 Form for details).
Scroll to the Resources section for guidance materials and sample forms. Please call SDMC if you have any questions about the paperwork or request.
-
SDMC End of Life Care Full Packet (All SDMC 300-Series Forms)
SDMC End of Life Care Full Packet - Full packet containing all SDMC 300-Series Forms.
Download
-
Certification on Capacity for End of Life Care (SDMC Form 310)
Certification on Capacity for End of Life Care (SDMC Form 310)
Download
-
Attending Physician and Concurring Physician Certification for End of Life Care (SDMC Form 320-AB)
Attending Physician and Concurring Physician Certification for End of Life Care (SDMC Form 320-AB)
Download
-
Related Medical Information for End of Life Care (SDMC Form 330)
Related Medical Information for End of Life Care (SDMC Form 330)
Download
Resources
Review the SDMC Services Video to learn more about eligibility and the appropriate SDMC forms to use for your request. For assistance completing the Major Medical (200 Series) forms, please review the SDMC 200-Series Forms Video.
Please contact SDMC if you need assistance or have further questions.
-
SDMC Sample Major Medical Full Packet (Sample SDMC 200 Series Forms)
A sample SDMC Major Medical application - full sample packet of the SDMC 200-series Major Medical Forms
Download
-
SDMC Sample End of Life Full Packet (Sample SDMC 300 Series Forms)
Sample application for an SDMC End of Life decision - SDMC 300 Series Full Packet
Download
-
Guidance for completing the MOLST Checklist
Reference guide for completing the MOLST Checklist after SDMC has granted consent.
Download
Contact SDMC Program Contact
Contact us by phone:
Contact us by email:
Mailing Address:
NYS Justice Center
Attn: Surrogate Decision-Making Committee
401 State Street
Schenectady, NY 12305