California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 495 earlier this month. The law expands who can withdraw a child from school.

Supporters said it helps families during immigration enforcement. They said it prevents separation when a parent is detained.

Critics said the law weakens basic safeguards. They warned it could aid abductions and trafficking.

The bill is titled the Family Preparedness Plan Act of 2025. It changes who can sign a caregiver affidavit for a minor.

The official bill summary states it “would revise the definition of relative to expand the type of relative who is authorized to execute a caregiver’s authorization affidavit and grant them the same rights to authorize school-related medical care, as defined, for the minor that are given to guardians.”

Under the new law, an adult claiming broad kinship can act for the child. Schools may accept the affidavit without verification.

Opponents said that opens doors to fraud. They said perjury threats are not enough.

The California Policy Center warned about exploitation risks tied to the affidavit process.

“In response to enforcement of illegal immigration by the Trump Administration, this bill puts forward an affidavit process that could easily allow for increased kidnapping and human trafficking of our children. The guardrails for this bill are insufficient and the proposed law is riddled with logistical problems that don’t require authority figures to verify that a child is being surrendered to a legitimate adult in the case of a parent being detained, as is the case with designated emergency contacts, court sanctioned standby guardians or when Child Protective Services gets involved.”

Commentators also highlighted how far the affidavit now reaches. They said it covers medical and educational decisions.

They noted the “fifth degree” kinship standard. They said it invites false claims without background checks.

American Thinker argued that the statute undermines parental authority. It tied the change to broader cultural fights.

“This bill has sparked outrage among conservatives, parental rights advocates, and religious leaders, as it clearly endangers children and undermines God-given parental authority. This legislation was ostensibly framed as a safeguard for immigrant families, but it opens dangerous loopholes that could facilitate child-trafficking and abuse. It demands urgent action from parents and concerned citizens.

AB 495 expands the use of the Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit, which allows any adult claiming kinship “within the fifth degree” to make medical and educational decisions for a child without parental consent or verification. The California Family Council notes that this affidavit requires no notarization or background checks, meaning any stranger could easily claim to be a relative, access a child, and even enroll him in another school. Kristen Waggoner of ADF Legal warns that this could enable predators to exploit children, including separating them from parents who oppose controversial medical interventions like chemical castration or the surgical mutilation of their genitals. Pastor Jack Hibbs has called the bill “demonic,” urging parents to flee California’s public schools for homeschooling or private alternatives to protect their children. This aligns with broader concerns about California’s policies under Newsom, which conservatives (normal Americans) argue prioritize ideological agendas over child safety, especially given the lack of safeguards against fraud or abuse.”

Opponents said the law applies to millions of students statewide. They said it reaches daycares, preschools, and K–12 schools.

Reports said districts have begun purging emergency contact files. They cited San Francisco and Chino Valley.

They said erasing contacts weakens parental control. They warned it also hampers urgent student care.

Newsom, according to critics, claimed the change improves safety. The phrase drew sharp backlash.

He said it would “make children safer.”

The article also cited messaging from Democratic leaders. It said they hyped claims of ICE targeting schools.

Those claims were described as false in the report. They were used to justify rapid changes.

Former Breitbart editor Jon Fleischman flagged the timing of signings. He said hundreds of bills moved with little scrutiny.

He said that spanned mid-September through mid-October. He argued the pace drowned public input.

Critics tied AB 495 to a broader pattern under Newsom. They cited prior laws they say risked child safety.

They pointed to an anti-loitering measure that spiked child prostitution. Newsom later repealed it after public anger.

They also cited “sanctuary” policies for youth medical procedures. They said school districts risk punishment for informing parents.

Parents and lawmakers now want stronger guardrails. They want verification steps before a child leaves school.

They propose notarization, ID checks, and live contact with parents. They also want audits of any affidavit use.

California’s new law is already in effect. Families are now racing to update plans with schools.

They are asking who can legally pick up their children. They want a paper trail schools must follow.