Time for a Veto: AB495 Passes Senate And Heads to the Governor's Desk

Keep the Pressure Up! Time for a Veto!

ACT NOW: Stop AB 495

Dear PERK Members,

AB 495 was amended to remove the “non-relative caregiver.” This is a win. However, the bill language still creates dangerous loopholes 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 unnecessary.  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.

AB 495 Current Status:

• AB495 passes the Senate.

• Next Stop: The Governor’s desk.

Call To Action VETO for AB495:

1. Call the Governor for a VETO (everyone, every state can join and call the Governor. Keep the pressure on!

2. Contact the Assembly for a NO on the concurrence vote.

Four Things You Can Do Today

1. Call the Governor and ask for a VETO.

2. Send a letter through the official letter through the governor’s portal to register your opposition. Details below.

3. Donate to the fight. Link here.

4. Share our social media VETO flyer call to action with others. #opposeAB495 #vetoAB495

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 notarization, No parent. No child is safe.

Sample Letter To Governor Newsom

Please veto 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. Assembly Member Celeste Rodriguez bill is unnecessary.  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. Protect all children.

Thank you for taking action today!

PERK

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

Because of you, our video has gone far to provide impactful information on what makes a difference to kill AB495.

Share our social media video on what we need to do.

Amy Bohn, President of Protection of the Educational Rights of Kids (PERK), breaks down California Assembly Bill AB 459 and how it could indirectly strip parents of fundamental protections for their children.

The Health Freedom Movement is Winning

National Leaders Step Forward: Secretary Kennedy, Surgeon General Ladapo, NIH Director Bhattacharya Signal Monumental Change. Over the past several weeks, we’ve seen powerful momentum nationally and in California. Here’s a recap of the most important developments. It signals the health freedom movement is moving towards monumental change and winning.

Nationally

• Secretary Kennedy was on fire in yesterday’s hearing –

• HHS reinstate the childhood vaccine safety task force – For the first time in decades, after previous HHS leadership failed to continue the safety task force, HHS reinstates it. The safety task force will be looking at all the childhood vaccines, reporting systems, and safety, and will be led by Director Jay Bhattacharya the head of the NIH.

  Director Bhattacharya stated, "By reinstating this Task Force, we are reaffirming our commitment to rigorous science, continuous improvement, and the trust of American families,"

• FDA EUA Revoked – FDA Revokes Emergency Authorization for COVID-19 Vaccines

• CDC Director Fired – Major leadership shakeup at the CDC.

• Paul Offit Fired – Long-time antagonist to medical freedom, Paul Offit, has been fired.

• HHS repealed the policy that incentivized and rewarded hospitals for reporting employee vaccination rates.

• Florida Leads the Way – Surgeon General Dr. Joe Ladapo makes breaking news stating Florida will end ALL vaccine mandates and restore the God-given right to choose what goes in our bodies. Video here. PERK proudly welcomed Dr. Ladapo and his wife Brianna Ladapo to California as guest speakers in 2023.

• $500 Million in mRNA contracts ended – “We reviewed the science, listened to the experts, and acted,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “BARDA is terminating 22 mRNA vaccine development investments because the data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu.

• President Trump Raises Questions – President Trump openly questions the COVID vaccines and the effectiveness he was sold—or possibly lied to about.

• Dr. Paul Thomas Lawsuit – Dr. Paul Thomas is a plaintiff in a lawsuit against the CDC for failure to test the cumulative effect of the 72-dose childhood vaccine schedule. Watch The Highwire Interview with Dr. Paul Thomas.

• PERK Letter to President Trump – PERK letter to President Trump calling for attention on religious liberty.

California

• PERK on The Highwire – Amy Bohn joined Del Bigtree on The Highwire to announce landmark support from a California Senator for new legislation protecting medical privacy rights, restore personal belief exemptions, and education access.

• AB 84 – Moves to a 2 year bill due to public pressure. Your action continues to create wins in California. The fight’s not over. It has less of a chance of passing, but the bill can still come back in January. However this gives the unified opposition time to continue the effort to kill it. Read California Policy Center’s coalition letter.

• AB 495 – Under the public pressure, the bill is amended. The fight is still on.

• PERK Letter to President Trump – PERK letter to President Trump calling for attention on religious liberty and California.

AB 495 – Under the public pressure, the bill is amended.

However, it’s not good enough as it moves to the Senate floor for a vote. See our video on what you can do.

Video Here.

Take Action with PERK

This is a historic moment. The movement for medical freedom is becoming an unstoppable force across the country and here in California we continue to win.

• Sign the Letter – Protect Religious Liberty and Education Access

• Donate – Fuel the Fight and continue to support PERK as we defend your parental rights, oppose AB84, AB495, and advocate for you.

• Volunteer – Join the Advocacy Teams

Together, we are winning. Together, we will restore freedom.

PERK - Protecting children, parental rights, and medical freedom.

www.perk-group.com

Make Halloween Healthier and Fund the Movement

50% of profits benefit MAA + ICAN. It’s a small purchase with a big signal.

Dear PERK Members,

We are so excited about a new initiative called Tricked By The Treat! Finally, there’s an alternative to the junky candy our kids eat on Halloween. Tricked By The Treat is truly the best solution for parents who don’t want their kids consuming the typical unhealthy Halloween candy.

We’re thrilled to know these products aren’t made with artificial flavors or processed with highly refined sugars and chemicals. Instead, Tricked By The Treat’s products are:

• Gluten-free

• Non-GMO

• Free of artificial colors and flavors

• Made without high-fructose corn syrup

We are proud of what Tricked By The Treat is doing and excited that they’re offering a discount for all PERK members. Use the code PERKKIDS at checkout through this link to receive your discount.

Join us in supporting this new company and their brilliant initiative to provide better options for our kids!

It’s a grassroots movement to bring non-toxic Halloween treats to our kids this Halloween season, and avoid the toxic junk candy plaguing our kids every year.  We love it because it:

• Gives our kids cleaner treats for Halloween

• Educates our neighbors & friends on the scary ingredients lurking in conventional candy

• Funds non-profits fighting for our families every day

50% of profits benefit MAA + ICAN. It’s a small purchase with a big signal.

Moms Across America (MAA) is a nationwide coalition of moms working to eliminate toxins from food, farming, and everyday products—through grassroots action, policy change, and public awareness. They empower families to take back control of what goes into our kids’ bodies and are amplifying the call to remove harmful ingredients from Halloween candy and beyond—championing clean snacks and conscious parenting from the ground up.

ICAN protects children by demanding transparency, scientific integrity, and medical freedom—through rigorous research, legal action, and public education. They hold systems accountable so parents have the truth, tools, and legal protection to make the safest choices.

Here’s how we can help—and make Halloween easy: the Healthy Halloween Variety Pack

• 10 cleaner brands, 30+ pieces in one bag

• Gluten-free, non-GMO; no artificial colors or flavors, no high-fructose corn syrup

• Much less sugar per piece (some sugar-free)

• Chocolate items may contain dairy; a couple have nuts (no peanuts)—please check labels, knowing most treats are also free of top allergens

Presale is 10% off through 9/7 with code PERKKIDS. Help us sell thousands of packs.
Ships mid-October (U.S. only). Live in a hot state? All orders shipped 2-day with FedEx.

50% of profits benefit MAA + ICAN. It’s a small purchase with a big signal.
Get the Healthy Halloween Variety Pack 

P.S. FAQs on allergens/shipping

Tricked By The Treat

Watch the Video

Make Kids Healthy Again

Here’s an example of Tricked by the Treat lollipops!

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

• Use our flier. Compounding Impact.

• Find your personal senator here and email and fax your letter directly to their Capitol offices.

• Use subject line: Oppose AB 495 – Dangerous Loopholes Endangers All Children

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

Share our social media video on what we need to do.

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.

• Talking points by Real Impact

• Legal analysis by ADF

• AB495 Senate Template Letter by PERK