Representing California’s 35th Assembly District, which encompasses much of Kern County, Dr. Jasmeet Bains brings her experience as a family physician to her legislative role. Elected in 2022, she is the first Sikh American and the first South Asian woman to serve in the California Legislature. Her medical background deeply informs her commitment to improving health care access, particularly in underserved communities.
In her inaugural term, Dr. Bains has championed several initiatives aimed at expanding mental health and substance use disorder services. AB 2376 (Chemical dependency recovery hospitals) streamlines regulatory requirements, enabling more health care facilities to offer addiction treatment services. By removing outdated mandates, such as unnecessary patient segregation, the bill increases the availability of treatment beds for those battling substance use disorders. The bill passed in September 2024.
In the 2025 legislative session, Dr. Bains authored AB 1429 (Behavioral health reimbursement) to address insurance coverage gaps. This bill mandates that Kaiser Foundation Health Plan fully reimburse enrollees for out-of-pocket expenses incurred when accessing behavioral health services outside of Kaiser’s network. This measure ensures patients receive necessary care without financial burdens during the implementation of Kaiser’s corrective action plan. ention Month, offering resources and wellness activities and recognizing local mental health advocates.
