California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 495, expanding protections for children whose parents face deportation. The bill allows a broader range of relatives—any adult related by blood, adoption, or affinity within the fifth degree of kinship, such as great aunts or cousins—to sign a caregiver’s authorization affidavit. This affidavit temporarily authorizes caregivers to enroll children in school and consent to medical care when parents are unavailable.
The law also prohibits daycare providers from collecting immigration information about children or their parents and enables parents to nominate temporary legal guardians in family court. The measure aims to help immigrant families prepare for emergencies like deportation while safeguarding parental rights and privacy.
The bill faced strong conservative opposition, with critics arguing it could let strangers claim custody of children. Some opponents spread false claims that the bill would allow unrelated individuals to gain custody, which supporters say is inaccurate—the caregiver affidavit is temporary and does not confer custody, which remains under family court jurisdiction.
Newsom acknowledged the controversy but emphasized that parental rights and legal guardianships continue to be decided by courts. The legislation reflects California’s ongoing response to federal immigration enforcement policies affecting families across the state.
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