Gov. Baker To Sign Bill To Aid Women With Substance Abuse

BOSTON (AP) — Gov. Charlie Baker is expected to sign legislation that would give women with alcohol or substance abuse problems access to addiction treatment services rather than housing them in the state prison for women in Framingham.

Baker will sign the legislation during a ceremony in his office Monday.

Baker says women will now have access to addiction treatment services at Shattuck and Taunton state hospitals.

Lawmakers gave the bill final approval Thursday just before the Republican governor's State of the State address.

Massachusetts law allows a doctor or family member to ask a court to involuntarily commit individuals believed to be a danger because of alcohol or substance abuse.

The state has pledged to move the women out of the prison since 1987.