(The Center Square) – A California bill that aims to provide a solution to immigrant families poses a legal loophole for kidnapping children, says the California Family Council.
Assembly Bill 495, known as the “Family Preparedness Plan Act of 2025,” authored by Assemblywoman Celeste Rodriguez, D-California, claims to give immigrant families that face deportation solutions in taking care of their children.
“The threats from the federal administration have led to fear in many communities including mine,” Rodriguez said. “We must do everything we can to safeguard families from separation and ensure children are supported. AB 495 is a critical tool that will preserve California’s families.”
Rodriguez argues that AB 495 protects children and ensures that they are not left vulnerable if a parent is unexpectedly detained by immigration officials. According to the bill, in filling out a one-page affidavit form, a “nonrelative extended family member,” could authorize school-related medical care and enrollment in school for a minor.
Only providing the name and birthdate of the minor and the adult’s name and address “is sufficient to authorize,” according to the affidavit. Stating the adults relation to the minor and driver’s license is not required. Only in the case that the individual wishes to authorize “other medical care,” would it require an identification card.
The parents signature is not required and “a person who relies on this affidavit has no obligation to make any further inquiry or investigation,” the affidavit states.
Those that oppose the bill argue this is a child traffickers dream bill since there is no background check or identity verification.
“All you need is a piece of paper and some form of identification, with no obligation for the adult handing the child over to verify the identification, and presto, someone walks away with your child,” Erin Friday, an attorney and president of Our Duty-USA, a parent advocacy group, said about AB 495. “This bill is not about immigration. It’s about relinquishing parental rights to unvetted strangers under the guise of compassion.”
This bill would also allow any medical decision, by the authorized adult, be given without the consent of the minor’s parents.
“California wants to let someone that is not related to your child remove her from school, enroll her in any other school in the state, authorize any medical treatment of her, including mental health services and drugs, without the parents’ notice and knowledge or consent. This is not fear-mongering. I’m not being hyperbolic,” said Attorney Nicole Pearson, founder of Facts Law Truth Justice, testified before the State Senate. “These unintended consequences are terrifying, and they are unavoidable.”
Pastor Jack Hibbs of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills, urged families on Sunday morning to leave the state of California if AB 495 passes.
“If you have kids in the state of California and this passes, you gotta go,” Hibbs said. “Your child’s safety is number one in your life, and I don’t care if you like the weather, and I never thought that day would ever come when I would encourage you to leave.
Hibbs will be speaking on the steps of California’s capitol at the “NO on AB 495 Rally and Lobby Day” hosted by parental advocacy organizations, Real Impact and Capitol Resource Institute.
“We affirm the importance of keeping children safe and families together if you can in times of crisis,” Burt said. “But compassion without guardrails is not mercy, it is madness.”
The Center Square reached out to Assemblywoman Rodriguez’s office for a comment on these opposing statements, but did not receive a response.
