SHOCK ALERT: California’s New Bill Lets ANYONE Pick Up Kids from School with Just a “Relationship Claim”! No ID, No Proof, No Problem! 

In a jaw-dropping move that’s setting social media ablaze, California’s Assembly Bill 495, dubbed the “Family Preparedness Plan Act of 2025,” is sparking outrage and disbelief across the nation. Pushed by Democrats as a lifeline for “families in crisis”—specifically undocumented immigrant families facing deportation—this bill is being slammed by critics as a dangerous loophole that could let predators and traffickers snatch kids from schools with zero oversight. The kicker? All it takes is a single form, no ID, no background check, and no call to parents.  This controversial legislation, currently in the Senate Appropriations Committee as of August 18, 2025, is fueling heated debates on Threads, with users calling it everything from a “child trafficker’s dream” to a “compassionate necessity.” Ready for the details that’ll make your head spin? Buckle up

The bill, introduced by Assemblywoman Celeste Rodriguez (D-San Fernando), amends California’s Education, Family, and Probate Codes to expand who can sign a caregiver’s authorization affidavit. Under existing law, only certain relatives over 18 can enroll a minor in school or consent to school-related medical care by signing this affidavit under penalty of perjury. AB 495 blows the doors wide open, allowing a “nonrelative extended family member”—defined as anyone with a “mentoring relationship” to the child or their relatives—to claim these rights. That’s right: no blood relation, no court order, no notarization, just a one-page form claiming a connection. This person can then waltz into a school, pick up a child, and even authorize medical, dental, or mental health treatments, including controversial procedures like hormone therapy or puberty blockers for gender-affirming care.

Critics are sounding the alarm, warning that the bill’s vague language and lack of safeguards create a perfect storm for abuse. Erin Friday, an attorney and president of Our Duty-USA, didn’t mince words, calling AB 495 “a child trafficker’s and kidnapper’s dream bill.” She argues that the lack of background checks, verification, or parental notification means anyone could claim a “mentoring relationship” and walk away with a child. “There’s no obligation to verify ID, no welfare check, no court oversight—just a piece of paper, and presto, someone walks away with your kid,” Friday told the California Family Council. The bill’s language isn’t limited to immigration emergencies, meaning it applies to any child, for any reason, regardless of their family’s status. Threads users are losing it, with one viral post screaming, “This is a license to kidnap! California’s handing kids to strangers! ” The hashtag #AB495 is trending, with thousands of shares and heated arguments.

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Supporters, led by Rodriguez, insist the bill is a compassionate response to federal immigration policies that have left children vulnerable when parents are detained or deported. The legislation aims to ensure kids aren’t left stranded by allowing trusted adults to step in. It also mandates that schools provide information on family safety plans, including guidance from the Attorney General’s January 6, 2025, report, “Promoting a Safe and Secure Learning Environment for All.” This includes updating emergency contact information to prevent kids from entering foster care if a parent is unavailable. Schools and childcare facilities are also barred from collecting immigration status unless required by law, a move Rodriguez says protects mixed-status families. A Threads user defending the bill posted, “This is about keeping kids safe, not harming them! Stop fearmongering! ” But even supporters admit the bill’s broad language raises questions.

The real gut-punch? Schools aren’t required to notify parents when someone picks up their child using this affidavit. Once the form is filed, the “caregiver” can make decisions about the child’s education and health, including irreversible medical procedures, without parental consent. While the bill claims parents can revoke the affidavit, critics point out this is meaningless if parents aren’t informed in the first place. “Compassion without boundaries isn’t kindness—it’s madness,” said Greg Burt, Vice President of the California Family Council, in a statement that’s been shared thousands of times on Threads. The bill also extends the affidavit’s validity until rescinded, but caps it at one year, and absolves schools or doctors acting in “good faith” from liability, even if the caregiver has no legitimate connection to the child.

The California Family Council and parental rights advocates are rallying opposition, warning that the bill’s loopholes could let predators exploit vulnerable kids. Attorney Lisa Pearson, who’s worked with trafficking survivors, compared AB 495’s lack of safeguards to federal policies that lost track of over 600,000 unaccompanied minors in 2021. “This isn’t compassion—it’s a license to make kids disappear,” she said, sparking a flood of Threads posts with crying emojis and calls to “stop AB 495!” On the flip side, immigrant rights groups argue the bill is critical for protecting children in mixed-status families, with one user posting, “You’d rather kids end up in foster care than with a trusted adult? Heartless! ” The online clash is intense, with memes, rants, and petitions flying across Threads.

As the bill awaits a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, the controversy shows no signs of slowing down. Critics are urging parents to flood lawmakers with calls to halt AB 495, while supporters are pushing for its passage to protect vulnerable kids. The bill’s fate hangs in the balance, but one thing’s clear: it’s got everyone talking. Will California’s “Family Preparedness Plan” save kids or put them at risk? Click to find out what’s really going on!