CCC Supports AB 495 to Protect Children and Families Facing Separation

For Immediate Release                               September 11, 2025 

(Sacramento, CA) — The California Catholic Conference (CCC) announced it is in strong support of Assembly Bill 495 (Rodriguez, D), the Family Preparedness Plan Act of 2025, legislation that strengthens a long-standing statute safeguarding children when parents face temporary separation.

AB 495 builds on a 1994 law that established the Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit, which allows an adult already known to the family and caring for a child to communicate with schools and medical providers on the child’s behalf. Parents retain full rights to make decisions and can override those of the temporary caregiver at any time.

“As the Church, we are called to protect the dignity of every child and to accompany families in their moments of greatest vulnerability,” said CCC President Bishop Oscar Cantú of the Diocese of San Jose.  “AB 495 allows parents — especially those facing the uncertainty of detention, deportation, or deployment — to make loving, responsible plans so that their children remain in safe and caring hands. This upholds both parental rights and the well-being of children. This bill is pro-family, pro-child, and a responsible safeguard for the dignity and stability of our communities.”

The Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit has been in place for more than two decades. It ensures children can continue attending school and receiving healthcare while their parents are unavailable, without terminating parental rights. AB 495 responsibly updates the law by expanding the relatives able to care for the child in question. The bill also directs schools to implement policies consistent with updated guidance from Attorney General Rob Bonta, ensuring families are educated about the affidavit and the importance of updating emergency contact information. 

California is home to 10.6 million immigrants, more than any other state. Nearly half (45%) of California’s children have at least one immigrant parent. An estimated one million children in California have at least one undocumented parent, and about 133,000 children in California public schools are themselves undocumented.

For these families, the threat of detention or deportation creates a deep sense of fear and uncertainty. Catholic organizations — including the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, CLINIC, CHIRLA, and Catholic Charities — have held many parish-based Know Your Rights trainings that covered education on the Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit as an essential family safety tool. 

The CCC upholds that empowering parents to plan for their children’s care is an act of compassion and prudence. As Pope Leo XIV teaches: “The communities that welcome migrants can also be a living witness to hope, one that is understood as the promise of a present and a future where the dignity of all as children of God is recognized.”

The Conference will continue to focus on education for schools and parishes to help families understand how to responsibly use the many tools, including the Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit, available to keep children safe and supported in times of crisis.

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Contact:

Kim Nickols

[email protected]