Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez's "Family Preparedness Plan Act of 2025" (Assembly Bill 495) is supposedly meant to keep ICE from getting the children of illegal immigrants.
But as it allows anyone to take a child out of school, pro-family advocates say it creates legal loopholes for kidnappers.
Pastor Jack Hibbs, of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills, recently told his congregation the bill's definition of a "caregiver" is basically anyone who can fill out and sign a form, which means anyone can show up at a school and leave with someone else's child.
"The bill does not require a background check...requires no identification, no nothing," warned Hibbs. "There's no requirement in the bill for the school to call you to ask you if it's OK if John John takes your daughter out of school."
According to the bill's text, any "caregiver" who "signs the affidavit shall have the same rights to authorize medical care and dental care for the minor that are given to guardians," which empowers a non-relative or family member to make critical medical decisions for a child, including authorizing immunizations or physical exams.
Backing up the pastor's warning from the pulpit, a constitutional attorney has also warned California lawmakers about the bill. Nicole Pearsons, a Newport Beach attorney, said AB 495 is a dangerous bill, with legal loopholes, that allows a non-parent to remove a child without a parent's knowledge or consent.
"This is not fear-mongering. I'm not being hyperbolic," Pearson, appearing at an August 1 hearing, said. "These unintended consequences are terrifying and they are unavoidable."
California already allows schools to help kids "transition" genders without informing parents. If AB 495 passes, the pastor reasons it will be a short walk to taking kids whose parents do not toe the LGBTQ+ lines, then kids of parents with any Christian values at all.
"This is the end of it," Hibbs said. "This is it. If this bill passes, leave the state of California. You're gonna need to pack up, and you're gonna have to get out. You gotta get out. You gotta run with your kids. You gotta go."
He also recognized, though, that the tough political climate for conservatives is not limited to The Golden State.
"Because good people don't vote in California, we've got idiots running this state – perverts," Hibbs declared. "The nation laughs at us, but Gavin Newsom is getting ready to run for president. You laugh about it, [but] the nation will vote for him."
As part of his Real Impact ministries, Hibbs is planning a "Stop AB 495 Rally" on Aug. 19 at the steps of the state capitol in Sacramento. He hopes as many as 5,000 Christians will show up to voice their opposition.
The state's Senate appropriations committee is set to hold a hearing on AB 495 Aug. 18.
