BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — After the shocking mental health diversion decision for former Kern County supervisor Zack Scrivner, local lawmakers quickly took action to close loopholes.
Local state lawmakers — Assemblywoman Dr. Jasmeet Bains and State Senator Shannon Grove — advocated to fix a system that allowed Scrivner to avoid any ounce of jail time.
‘Lords of Bakersfield’: Asm. Dr. Jasmeet Bains introduces package of bills targeting loopholes in sex crime prosecution
As the end of the legislative session nears, there are several big wins, some losses and plenty of finger-crossing.
“I want to make sure people are sensitive to mental health illness. But at the same time, you know, as we’ve seen, there has been much abuse of the mental health diversion,” said Bains…