Why California’s AB 495 Is a Risky Power Grab Pretending to Help Families
Sold as a way to protect families from immigration crackdowns, this bill could put every kid in California at risk by giving strangers free rein over their lives.
⏱️ 3.5 minute read
A Clash of State and Federal Power
There’s a bill creeping through California’s legislature that highlights the real friction between state leaders in Sacramento and the feds trying to enforce immigration rules—not only at the border, but for illegal aliens living here already. Assembly Bill 495, introduced by Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez (D-Los Angeles County), claims to shield families from the chaos of deportations by letting parents name non-relatives—like coaches or neighbors—as temporary guardians through simple affidavits. These designees could control school decisions, medical care, even enrollment, without court oversight. But it’s not some targeted solution; it’s like swinging a hammer at a fly, endangering every family’s peace of mind—we need the legislature to shoot it down, or if it sails through on partisan votes, Governor Newsom has to step up and veto it.
A False Promise of Protection
Obviously the decision by the adult parents of these kids to violate federal immigration laws has created an awkward situation, but yeah, we’ve got to come up with real fixes for the kids—they’re the ones paying for their folks’ bad calls, after all. AB 495 mandates “family preparedness plans” for day cares and expands caregiver affidavits to include unrelated adults, no judge required. It sounds kind-hearted, but the bill sweeps in every family in California, not just the ones dealing with the headaches coming from illegal immigration issues. Why not refine existing court-based guardianship laws instead? This universal approach, lacking verification or parental confirmation, opens doors to abuse. In the end, it’s more grandstanding politics than actual safety.
Stripping Parents of Their Voice
At the heart of it, nothing beats a parent’s say in raising their own kid. AB 495 undermines this by letting strangers, armed with a mere form, make decisions on education or health—potentially even controversial treatments critics warn about—without parental consent. No background checks, no notarization, no school obligation to double-check with mom or dad. Imagine some so-called mentor or buddy stepping in, calling the shots, and cutting you out completely. This isn’t progress; it’s a betrayal of the family unit, aligning with other state laws that treat parents as obstacles. Families need laws that honor their role, not chip away at it.
Opening the Door to Exploitation
California’s already fighting tooth and nail against human trafficking and child exploitation—why hand them a leg up? AB 495’s flimsy affidavits could let predators pose as guardians with claimed relationships, gaining access to school records or limited medical consents with legal cover. Schools and doctors get immunity for accepting these claims, incentivizing compliance over caution. While sold as a shield against federal raids, this could enable the very separations it aims to prevent, turning institutions into unwitting enablers. With issues like crime and homelessness staring us in the face, this bill just wastes effort on a risky gamble.
So, Does It Matter?
Assemblymember Rodriguez probably thinks the federal governments illegal immigration crackdowns are way too disruptive. That’s a debate worth having. But AB 495 isn’t the answer—two wrongs don’t make a right. Its fuzzy, way-too-wide rules put parental say-so at risk, open the door to abuse, and dump dangers on all families that were only supposed to hit a handful. The legislature should kill this bill now. If it somehow passes, Governor Newsom must wield his veto pen to protect California’s kids and uphold the family as the cornerstone of our society. Anything less is a failure we can’t afford.
Note: This week I am writing more about proposed terrible legislation than usual, because there are key deadlines in the legislative process approaching. It is also worth mentioning that there are thousands of bad bills. In fact, if we could push a “delete all” button, we’d be better off if the legislature simply adjourned - now.
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