Supported Decision Making is a way to get help making choices and have those choices recognized.
Helpful Terms
- Agreement = something that you say you are going to do
- Guardianship = a legal proceeding that can remove some or all of your rights and assign control to someone else.
- Provider = someone who is paid to help you complete certain tasks
- SDM = Supported Decision Making
- Supporter = someone you trust who looks out for you and gives you advice
- Witness = someone who watches you sign legal documents
The 2015 Legislature passed AB 128 which created a form for a Durable Power of Attorney (DPA) written in simpler language for health care decisions for adults with intellectual disabilities. In 2019 the Nevada Legislature passed AB 480 authorizing an adult with a disability to enter into a supported decision making agreement where he or she determines one or more supporters to provide assistance when making decisions or engaging in certain other activities.
There is no one template or form for the State of Nevada. Nevada Law requires that “a supported decision-making agreement must be in writing, be dated, name one or more supporters, list the types of decisions with which the supporter is authorized to assist the person, and be signed by each party to the agreement in the presence of at least two adult witnesses who are not supporters.” NRS 162C.200. These resources give you the necessary details to create your own form.
- The Council provided a grant to The Self-Determination Law Project for the creation of an informational website on Supported Decision Making in Nevada.
- Supported Decision Making Handout for Self-Advocates
- Supported Decision Making Handout for Service Providers
- Supported Decision Making Handout for Support Persons
- Our Position Statement on Guardianship and Supported Decision Making
- Templates can be found at Washoe Legal Services
This information is for educational purposes only and does not take the place of legal advice. You are strongly encouraged to seek the advice of an attorney in any legal matter. If you have questions about your legal rights, please consult an attorney.