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.”
The bill also allows the caregivers to make medical decisions for the child without having to contact the parents.
Teachers, medical professionals, clergy, and family friends would all qualify to sign the necessary affidavit, which doesn’t require a parent’s signature or a court authorization. It also does not require notarization….