Breaking News: AB495 Passes Appropriations and Heads to the Senate Floor

Breaking News: AB495 Passes the Senate Appropriations Committee

ACT NOW: Stop AB 495 — Protect Every Child in California

Dear PERK Members,

We need you—loud, fast, and in writing. AB 495 creates dangerous loopholes that could let strangers assume custody and medical decision-making for a child—without ID, background check, court oversight, or parental knowledge. This is unacceptable. California’s children deserve real safeguards, not paperwork that can be weaponized. AB 495, Assembly Member Celeste Rodriguez bill is making national news. Education Code 234.7 already allows parents to consent to and authorize a long list of authorized emergency contacts in the event of an emergency. AB495 creates loopholes. This blog post will be thorough so it equips you with all the tools: knowledge, call to action, social media videos, links, and resources, with step by step instructions on how to help.

AB 495 Current Status:

Senate Suspense File- AB 495 was placed on the suspense file of the Senate Appropriations Committee on August 18, 2025. 

Passed the Senate Appropriations Committee: The Senate Appropriations Committee voted on the bill today, August 29, 2025. 

Next Stop: The bill is headed to the Senate Floor for a Vote anytime between now and September 12th.

Four Things You Can Do Today

  1. Send a letter to your Senator stating you oppose AB495 and ask for their no vote. Find your Senator here. AB495 Senate Template Letter by PERK

  2. Send a letter through the official legislative portal to register your opposition. Details below.

  3. Donate to the fight. Link here.

  4. Share our social media call to action with others. Link here.

What AB 495 Would Allow

• “Name a child.” A person can identify a child on a school-site form and assume custody/authorized caregiver status with no ID, no verification, no background check, no notarization, and no court.

• Medical authority by checkbox. The form lets a person check one box—“I cannot get a hold of the parent”—and take over medical decisions.

• No parental consent or notice. Parents may not be contacted before decisions are made.

• Records sealed. Confidentiality provisions can seal records, preventing parents and the public from seeing what happened until it’s too late.

• Exploiting legal loopholes. The bill removes critical safeguards that protect children from trafficking, kidnapping, and predation.

• Bottom line: No ID. No verification. No parent. No child is safe.

CALL TO ACTION.  We need more official letters.

1) Submit an Official Opposition Letter via the CA Legislature Portal

  • Step 1 – Register (first time users):
    Create an account at: https://calegislation.lc.ca.gov/Advocates/
    One-time registration: https://calegislation.lc.ca.gov/Advocates/faces/register.xhtml
    If you lead an organization: Register individually and as an organization—submit two letters.

  • Step 2 – Log in and Submit:
    Go to https://calegislation.lc.ca.gov/Advocates/
    Click “Submit a Letter”
    Enter: Measure Type: AB | Measure Number: 495 | Session Type: Regular Session
    Click “Search”
    Select the Senate Appropriations Committee and your State Senator
    Select Your Stance: Oppose
    Upload your signed opposition letter (PDF or Word)
    Complete Captcha and Submit

  • Step 3 – For individuals submitting comments directly:
    After selecting the bill, choose the appropriate Committees
    Select Oppose stance
    Enter a short note in the message box (keep comments professional)
    Submit
    Full detailed instructions: Senate Advocacy Quick Guide (https://www.senate.ca.gov/sites/senate.ca.gov/files/2019_quick_ref_guide_advocacy.pdf)

2) Send Directly to the Senate and Your Senator

3) Spread the Word

  • Share this alert with parents, teachers, PTAs, youth leaders, coaches, and faith communities.

  • Post on social media below using: #StopAB495 #ProtectAllChildren #ParentalRights

Sample Closing for Your Letter

Please vote NO on AB 495. Children deserve stronger safeguards, not weaker ones. Require ID, background checks, parental notice/consent, notarization, and court oversight for any transfer of custody or medical authority. Protect all children.

Watch The Highwire Video on AB495

Thank you for taking action today. PERK will continue to monitor AB 495 and provide updates, templates, and informational guidance. Your letters and official opposition can stop this bill.

PERK — Protecting Educational Rights & Kids

Follow updates: @PERK_Group on IG and X , PERK Website: www.perk-group.com

Compounding Impact

Compounded by recent laws eroding parental rights (SB 1419, AB 5, AB 223, AB 665), AB 495 strips away the most fundamental safeguard — a parent’s right to protect their child from strangers. Records will be sealed from the public, making it nearly impossible to track or recover a child once taken.

No child in California will be safe if AB 495 passes. It impacts public schools, private schools, and homeschoolers. This bill is a predator’s dream and a parent’s worst nightmare. Pastors are already warning families to leave the public schools and the state if this becomes law.

Education Code 234.7 already allows parents to consent to and authorize a long list of authorized emergency contacts in the event of an emergency. AB495 creates loopholes.

Stand with parents and protect all the children!

More Resources

We urge you to tell your Senator to vote NO on AB 495. Protect our children. Close the loopholes. Stand with parents and against trafficking, kidnapping, and exploitation. Resources to help you.

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