Dear Supporters,

We have exciting news. Together, we have now surpassed 500 signatures on this petition. Your voices are being heard, and your support is fueling real momentum. At the same time, there have been important developments in Sacramento regarding AB 495, the bill that threatens parental rights and child safety.

 
⚠️ Why This Matters
AB 495 would allow nonrelatives to temporarily care for children without parental approval. Critics warn this could be exploited by predators, traffickers, or individuals with no true connection to a child.
Families are uniting to say: parents, not strangers, should make decisions for their children.

 
✊ Protest at the Capitol – August 19
On Tuesday, Aug. 19, hundreds of parents and community members gathered at the California State Capitol to oppose AB 495.

- Protesters held banners reading “Stop targeting our children”
- The rally was led by Pastor Jack Hibbs, who called on Gov. Gavin Newsom to veto the bill
- Families voiced concerns that the bill grants caregiving authority too broadly, potentially putting child safety at risk
 
🏛 Legislative Update
On Monday, Aug. 18, AB 495 was placed on the Senate Appropriations Committee’s suspense file after a unanimous 7-0 vote.

• A suspense file is used to hold bills with budgetary impacts, delaying further action until lawmakers review fiscal implications
• This means AB 495 has been stalled for now, but its future still hangs in the balance
  The bill, also called the Family Preparedness Plan Act, passed the Assembly in June and was re-referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee in July
• Its outcome now depends on whether the committee moves it forward, and ultimately on Governor Newsom’s decision

 
📢 Key Concerns
- Broad Authority: Allows any nonrelative with an affidavit to assume caregiving powers without parental consent
- Child Safety Risks: Opens the door to exploitation by individuals with no legal or familial tie
- Erosion of Rights: Parents could be cut out of crucial decisions in their child’s education and healthcare
 
✅ How You Can Help
1. Share this petition with your family, friends, and networks
2. Contact Governor Gavin Newsom and urge him to veto AB 495 if it reaches his desk
3. Stay informed by tracking the bill’s progress on CalMatters or the official California Legislature site
4. Keep the pressure on, the suspense file is not the end, it is the next stage in the fight
 
Surpassing 500 signatures is a major milestone, and it shows the power of parents and families coming together. Let’s keep building this movement until Sacramento hears us loud and clear:

Parents, not strangers, must make decisions for their children.

Thank you for standing strong,