Gov. Signs 'Kathy's Law,' Greater Protection for Victims Granted

A bill that would strengthen restraining orders is one step closer to becoming law

By Lauren Steussy

| Monday, Sep 24, 2012 | Updated 7:04 PM PDT

Gov. Signs 'Kathy's Law,' Protection for Victims

NBCSanDiego

Carlsbad mother Kathy Scharbarth was strangled and killed last November. Her ex-boyfriend, Michael Robles, was charged with the murder.

A law known as “Kathy’s Law” was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown on Monday.

The law was named in honor of Kathleen "Kathy" Scharbarth, a 34-year-old Carlsbad mother who was strangled to death last November.

Scharbarth went missing on Thanksgiving Day and detectives found her body the following day. Her ex-boyfriend, Michael Robles, was charged with the murder.

In the days before her death, Scharbarth had filed a restraining order against Robles, citing episodes of disturbing, abusive behavior by Robles toward her.

Robles later hanged himself in a Vista jail.

Supporters of “Kathy’s Law” say it will strengthen restraining orders by allowing judges to order GPS monitoring devices for domestic violence suspects found to pose a threat to an alleged victim.

Assemblymember Ben Hueso (D-San Diego) authored the law.