Bill > H1797

This bill amends existing Massachusetts General Laws to prohibit the civil commitment of women for alcoholism and substance abuse to the Massachusetts Correctional Institution, Framingham, which is a correctional facility. Specifically, it removes references to Framingham as a place where women can be committed for such rehabilitative purposes under Chapter 111B and Chapter 123, Section 35. Instead, it mandates that within 24 hours of detoxification, individuals committed under Section 35 of Chapter 123 will receive a mental health evaluation by a qualified professional, and it requires the Department of Public Health to establish and maintain secure treatment beds for females to meet these requirements, while also requiring annual reporting on these proceedings to various legislative committees.