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Your Voice was Heard
Key Bills Amended Ahead of Floor Votes!

As we enter the final stretch of the CA legislative session, the next 36 hours are especially important. Bills can and are shifting quickly at this stage, and we want to ensure you have the most up-to-date information on where things stand.

👏 WIN! AB495 – Caregiver Affidavit Bill ( [link removed] [[link removed]] ) , also known as the Family Preparedness Act, in part sought to expand who could submit a caregiver affidavit, allowing any adult, not just close relatives, to enroll a child in school and make certain medical decisions. AVFCA's conversations with the author's office, as well as your emails and calls to your Senators, resulted in Asm Celeste Roderiguez, the bill's author, reverting the Caregiver Affidavit language to current statute . There will be NO substantive changes to the current Caregiver Affidavit and it will NOT allow “nonrelative extended family members” to become caregivers through a school form.

The bill has now passed the Senate floor and returns to the Assembly for concurrence by September 12. If it passes, it will go to the Governor’s desk. AVFCA has removed our opposition to the bill and are taking a neutral stance on it.



Charter School Bill Updates. Although these falls outside AVFCA’s core mission, we recognize its potential impact on families in our community—many of whom turned to homeschooling over the past decade, and therefore are sharing updates.

AVFCA has worked closely with the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA), A Plus, and A.P.P.L.E., who are leading negotiations on critical amendments. AVFCA is proud to stand alongside them, drawing on a decade of bridge-building and relationships in Sacramento, to ensure these bills do not remove options for homeschool students.

🛑 AB 84 – Charter School Bill ( [link removed] [[link removed]] ) is a 100+ page proposal that would significantly reshape how charter schools operate in California. While its stated goal is to add oversight and guardrails, AB 84 would also restrict flexible, personalized programs that serve students thriving outside traditional classrooms. On Friday, September 5th, the author’s office confirmed that AB 84 has been made a two-year bill. This means it will not advance this year, but could be amended and move forward in the 2026 legislative session starting in January. AB 84 is opposed by CCSA, A Plus, and A.P.P.L.E.

📗 SB 414 – Charter School Flexibility Bill ( [link removed] [[link removed]] ) addresses issues of accountability and oversight in charter schools, similar to the concerns raised in AB 84. However, it takes a different approach, aiming to maintain flexibility and preserve innovative programs that many families rely on. SB 414 has been amended in recent days. It is sponsored and supported by CCSA, A Plus, and A.P.P.L.E. Because the Charter School Laws sunset in January 2026, a bill is needed to allow Charter Schools to continue to function as they have over the past 10 years, so this bill is likely to move forward and land on the Governor's desk. SB 414 is on the Assembly floor for a full vote.

⛔ SB 494 – Charter Moratorium Bill ( leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB494 [[link removed]] )
Yesterday, SB 494 (Cortese) was unexpectedly gutted and amended to extend the moratorium on new non-classroom-based charter schools for yet another year. SB 494 does not address the key policy issues outlined in the LAO, FCMAT, State Controller’s task force, or State Auditor reports. Each of these reports provided clear recommendations to improve oversight and accountability in non-classroom-based charter schools. Instead of acting on those recommendations, SB 494 simply extends the moratorium, allowing the status quo to continue. This bill does nothing to benefit or support students. It fails to improve transparency, fails to prevent fraud and misappropriation of public funds, and delays real solutions that would actually strengthen the system. SB 494 is opposed by CCSA, A Plus, and A.P.P.L.E. SB 494 is on the Assembly floor for a full vote.

Action Alert: Please call your Assemblymember and urge them to vote YES on SB 414 and NO on SB 494 . You can find your Assembly member phone numbers by going to [link removed] [[link removed]]

AVFCA remains committed to working collaboratively, building relationships across the aisle, and pursuing productive pathways forward. With your support, we are able to shape legislation that protects families, children, and informed choice in California.

The final hours of the session are always unpredictable, and anything can happen between now and adjournment. AVFCA remains committed to keeping you informed and providing clear opportunities for action as developments occur. Thank you for your continued dedication, persistence, and advocacy for California’s families and children.

Please forward this email to anyone in California, and ask them to do the same.



If you found this information helpful and appreciate the work A Voice for Choice Advocacy is doing, please support us by making a donation today.

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Together, we can create a freer, healthier future for our children.

And don't forget to join us for our 10 year Anniversary Gala on October 11th. But your ticket today! [link removed] [[link removed]]

C
Christina Hildebrand
President/Founder
A Voice for Choice Advocacy, Inc.
[email protected] [[email protected]]
www.AVoiceForChoiceAdvocacy.org [[link removed]]
www.avoiceforchoiceadvocacy.org [www.avoiceforchoiceadvocacy.org]
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