Thousands Rally in California Against Parent-Threatening Legislation; “This is Just Insane”

The legislation, AB 495,  makes it very easy for parents to lose custody of their child. If passed, this bill could expand guardianship powers and allow others to gain legal authority over children through caregiver affidavits. Anyone can print an affidavit, fill in basic info on a child, take it to the school, no ID required or questions asked, they hand the child over. It’s a traffickers dream bill.

Newsom will sign the bill because Newsom is a psychopath.

“AB 495 is legally indefensible, practically dangerous, and completely unnecessary.” – Greg Burt, CFC VP

On Aug. 18th, despite his warning, the Senate Appropriations Committee placed AB 495 in the suspense file on a 7–0 vote.

08/29 is the suspense file hearing.#StopAB495 pic.twitter.com/AWQcoxeEom

— CA Family Council (@CAFamily) August 25, 2025

SACRAMENTO, CA: Parents in California say liberal policies are undermining their rights, threatening the family unit, and putting children at risk.

At the State’s Capitol, @RealJackHibbs of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills led thousands of residents who rallied to send one message:… pic.twitter.com/Yry1uhLavh

— FRONTLINES (@FrontlinesTPUSA) August 21, 2025

ABC Reports on last week’s protest: A controversial bill that would allow short-term guardianship for children whose parents are deported or detained by ICE led to pushback from hundreds of people at the state capitol on Tuesday. “‘The Family Preparedness Plan Act’ creates a new joint guardianship process allowing parents facing any long-term separation to designate a joint guardian while preserving their parental rights upon their return,” said the author of AB 495, Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez. As AB 495 continues to move forward in the California legislature, on Tuesday hundreds of people rallied on the steps of the Capitol against the bill. AB 495 is aiming to expand authorization of who can become a child’s caregiver to “… any adult caregiver who has an established familial or mentoring relationship with the child..” Language that is concerning other assemblymembers. “It does not just pertain to children who are here with undocumented parents that have been detained. Instead, it applies to all children, in any circumstance, where a complete stranger can simply claim authority over a child, and then start making all sorts of decisions for the child’s welfare, for health treatment. This is just insane,” said Assemblymember Carl DeMaio (ABC).

We are here in Sacramento, CA, standing boldly to oppose the anti-parent, ungodly bill AB 495. This dangerous legislation seeks to strip parents of their God-given authority and undermine the family unit. As followers of Christ, we will not remain silent while government leaders… pic.twitter.com/q6dNN6Ursb

— Anna Khait (@Annakhait) August 19, 2025

HAPPENING NOW | Los Angeles CA –

HUNDREDS of Parents are protesting LA City Hall AND marching to UTLA to demand PARENTAL RIGHTS, as bills in the state would strip parents rights across all schools, and schools are teaching LGBT+ curriculum for minors.

Police Present: pic.twitter.com/0DThXYaxh9

— Anthony (@AnthonyCabassa_) August 22, 2023

California Family Council: Speakers throughout the day emphasized that AB 495’s danger lies not in abstract hypotheticals but in very real consequences. Legal experts agreed with California School Boards Association legal guidance, schools can release children to anyone presenting a caregiver affidavit, even if parents never approved that person. For families, this means a neighbor, activist, or even a casual acquaintance could lawfully remove their child from school without the parents’ knowledge. Alliance Defending Freedom’s legal team, along with other constitutional attorneys, issued clear warnings: AB 495 undermines parental rights, lacks due process, and exposes children to potential harm (California Family).