California’s AB 495: Compassion — or a Shortcut to Lawlessness?
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Does the Golden State want to make it harder to enforce immigration law under the guise of protecting children?
California Assembly Bill 495 — the Family Preparedness Plan Act of 2025 — has been pitched (mostly) by leftists as a compassionate fix for children separated from parents during immigration-related disruptions. Supporters say the bill would reduce trauma by expanding who can step in temporarily to ensure children have access to school and medical care.
Yet for many parents, pastors, and constitutional advocates, AB 495 risks normalizing lawlessness and weakening parental rights. Most conservatives recoil when the state broadens who can claim decision-making authority over a child, which is exactly what the bill does. This legislation, certainly, should NOT make it more difficult to enforce federal immigration law under the guise of protecting children.
Introduced in April of 2025, AB 495 adds “nonrelative extended family members” to those eligible to execute a caregiver’s authorization affidavit, then it extends that recognition across schools and licensed childcare. The bill is a dramatic shift away from traditional, family-related, authority structures.
From a biblical perspective, the family is God’s primary institution for raising and nurturing children (Deut. 6:4-7). Civil authority is meant to uphold order, not enable it to be subverted (Rom. 13:1-4). Any policy that blurs lines of accountability between parents and the state should be examined with great care (Prov. 31:8-9).
What Supporters and Critics Are Saying
AB 495’s backers argue the bill “puts children and families first,” helps parents plan for temporary separations, and improves consistency so schools and agencies can honor caregiver affidavits. They also stress that parental rights are not terminated by these arrangements. Supporters claim their goal is continuity of care and stability for kids in crisis.
But the bill’s vague categorizing of potential “caregivers” and its broad power concern many child advocates and parents. AB 495’s use of “nonrelative extended family member” can sound pastoral (“godparents, neighbors, mentors,” etc.). However, critics note the definition’s breadth and verification weaknesses make it ripe for misuse AND abuse — especially if a parent is unreachable.
Others argue the bill bypasses parents too easily. Because affidavits can unlock access to schooling and certain medical decisions, opponents warn AB 495 could enable a scenario summarized by one critic as, “Presto! Someone walks away with your child.” Even if hyperbolic, the fear reflects a real risk when third parties can quickly acquire decision-making power with limited vetting and oversight.
Although the bill is rhetorically tailored to immigration disruptions, AB 495’s mechanisms are universal and apply to all children, which could affect EVERY California family. That raises the stakes for unintended consequences, which could impact parents and children even if they are lawful citizens of the United States.
Warnings and Concerns About AB 495
California pastor Jack Hibbs of Calvary Chapel in Chino Hills has publicly urged parents to take AB 495 very seriously. In a recent FOX News interview, he warned: “If this bill passes, you have to grab your kid and leave the state for your child’s protection.”
Conservative legal voices also are speaking out against the proposed legislation. At an August 19th rally at the California Capitol in Sacramento, attorney Brad Dacus of the Pacific Justice Institute insisted AB 495 is unprecedented in its erosion of parental authority. He cautioned, “This legislation strips away all legal rights from parents.”
Those concerns resonate with a biblical worldview: God entrusts children to parents (Ps. 127:3–5). While extended family, friends, neighbors, and even your church family can help, the state must NOT empower non-relatives to override mom or dad without rigorous due process.
Mercy Must Not Excuse Nor Promote Lawlessness
Cruelty in immigration enforcement is rejected by most Christians and conservatives, but compassion must be yoked with accountability. AB 495’s structure risks creating a shortcut around parental consent that bad actors could exploit — precisely the opposite of “protecting the least of these” (Matt. 25:40).
Adding “guardrails” to the legislation (including ID requirements, background checks, prioritizing parental rights, etc.) would preserve child safety and the rule of law. They also would reflect the biblical pairing of mercy and justice (Micah 6:8), but will California offer them? Unfortunately for parents AND children, it’s unlikely.
Supporters’ motives may be sincere. But laws live or die on definitions and safeguards, not intentions. Expanding caregiver authority to loosely defined nonrelatives — applicable to every child statewide — invites confusion at best and abuse at worst. As Jesus teaches, “love thy neighbor” is inseparable from love of truth (John 8:32). A policy that feels compassionate but destabilizes the family’s God-ordained authority is not love at all.
California can and should craft solutions that keep kids safe without weakening parental rights or incentivizing unlawful behavior. As written, AB 495 could do exactly that.
Key sources:
https://calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org/bills/ca_202520260ab495
https://ahum.assembly.ca.gov/system/files/2025-04/ab-495-c-rodriguez.pdf
