California Lawmakers Revive Bill Giving Nonfamily Members Access to Children

While lawmakers say the legislation would help families affected by deportations, parental rights groups say it would make it easier to kidnap children.

Children walk to school in Oakland, Calif., on Sept. 10, 2018. Mario Tama/Getty Images

California legislation that grants nonfamily members permission to pick up children from school and make decisions for them when parents are detained or deported is headed for a final vote this week.

Assembly Bill 495, the Family Preparedness Plan Act of 2025, would allow access to a child not only by a relative but also by “non-relative extended family members” who have established familial or mentoring ties to the child, provided they fill out a “caregiver’s authorization affidavit.”