A bill that would have made it easier for children to be temporarily placed under the care of guardians other than their parents has been stopped from advancing in the California Legislature.
The Senate Appropriations Committee voted unanimously on Aug. 18 to place Assembly Bill 495 on suspense file. At the hearing on Aug. 18, critics voiced their opposition to the bill.
AB 495, or the Family Preparedness Plan Act of 2025, would have expanded the type of person able to execute a caregiver authorization affidavit for a minor. Under the bill, the authority would expand to include “nonrelative extended family members,” who are defined as adults with an established familial or mentoring tie to the child or a relative. According to the affidavit, that could include teachers, medical professionals, clergy, and family friends….