(San Diego, California) — It’s being called “a child trafficker’s dream.” A bill that is working its way through the California legislature could allow anyone to show up at your child’s school, claim they are the caregiver, and not only pick up your child, but also make medical decisions for them.
Critics are concerned and sounding the alarm. Calvary Chapel Chino Hills Pastor, Jack Hibbs, issued a warning to families: “If this bill passes, I am going to ask you to leave the state of California. You’re going to need to pack up, and you’re going to have to get out. You’ve got to run with your kids.”
AB 495 is formerly called “the Family Preparedness Act of 2025” and is authored by Democratic Assemblywoman Celeste Rodriguez. The bill would essentially allow an adult, who is not required to be a relative, to pick up a child from school or daycare. All they have to know is the child’s name and birthday, fill out an eight-question affidavit, say that they tried to reach out to the parents, and leave with the child—no proof required. It also allows that adult to make medical decisions on the child’s behalf.
In a post on Instagram, Assemblywoman Rodriguez claims that AB 495 is necessary because of the recent ICE raids. She insists that this bill will ensure that children have a caregiver and won’t end up in the foster system if their parents are deported while they’re at school.
“We know that due to current federal immigration enforcement actions, many families are living in fear,” Rodriguez stated. “Parents are afraid that they may not be able to make it to pick up their children from school or child care. Children worry that one day their family might simply be gone.”
However, critics are slamming the bill, highlighting that the loose requirements could allow child traffickers to take advantage. They warn that no ID nor parental permission is required, and that schools and doctors are “not liable” if the child ends up in the wrong hands.
Gina Gleason, the executive director of the Real Impact Ministry, called AB 495 one of the most concerning bills she has ever seen.
“We think it opens the doors to predators getting their hands on our children,” she underscored. “What is to stop a pedophile [or] a child trafficker from filling out this form and giving it to our school authorities?”
“There are just no safeguards,” Gleason continued. “You do not have to have a photo ID. No parent signature. The schools are not required to authenticate the affidavit to verify that this person is a family member or an extended family member. Nothing is required of the school authorities. And so this child can just be handed over to this fake caregiver.”
The Real Life Network reached out to the office of Assemblywoman Celeste Rodriguez for comment on the growing fight against her bill. As of this report, there has been no response. Meanwhile, a massive protest is set to take place outside the state capital on Tuesday, August 19th, when the Senate Appropriations Committee is scheduled to hear AB 495.
