AB 495 would let ANYONE claim guardianship over a child if the parents “can’t be found.” Democrats named the bill the “Family Preparedness Plan Act of 2025”. Instead, it should be referred to as “stranger danger written into law”!

AB 495 sacrifices important safeguards for children in order to facilitate illegal immigration. Under current law, a Caregiver Authorization Affidavit is signed only by the putative caregiver, not the child’s parents, which is why important safeguards are in place to prevent strangers from wrongfully taking over a parent’s authority to make decisions for the child.

AB 495, by contrast, would allow any “nonrelative extended family member” to sign the authorization, including any adult “who has an established familial or mentoring relationship with the child,” or who has an “established familial relationship with a relative of the child.” It would thus allow persons who have some relationship with the child’s relative, but who are strangers to the actual child, to assume parental decision-making authority.

A few more key details:
– The person only needs a supposed “familial relationship” to a relative of the child, no real proof required.
– No background check, no welfare check, no court oversight. Just a one-page form and an affidavit with a hollow threat of prosecution.
– The stranger can then move the child into their home, control schooling, and approve medical procedures.

Democrats say this is to help parents caught in immigration enforcement, but the bill applies to any child, for any reason. Nothing stops a kidnapper from filling out the form and taking control, hiding in plain sight.
While we understand the intent to protect children who may be left without guardians due to immigration enforcement or other circumstances, existing law already provides a structured process with government oversight for handling cases of child abandonment. Any effort to alter that process must include strict safeguards to protect vulnerable children from potential predators and those with malicious intent.
You can read arguments from the opposition in this letter submitted by Our Duty.

This deeply concerning bill only needs to pass the Senate Appropriations Committee before it heads to the Senate Floor for a final vote.
NOW is the time to make your voice heard in strong opposition to AB 495 and stop it before it gets to the Senate Floor.
Call members on the Senate Appropriations Committee and tell them to protect our kids by VOTING NO on AB 495:
Chair of the Committee, Senator Anna Caballero (D): 916-651-4014
Senator Christopher Cabaldon (D): 916-651-4003
Senator Tim Grayson (D): 916-651-4009
Senator Laura Richardson (D): 916-651-4035
Senator Aisha Wahab (D): 916-651-4410
Senator Kelly Seyarto (R): 916-651-4032
Senator Megan Dahle (R): 916-651-4001

Sincerely,
Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones California’s 40th Senate District