Senate appropriations pauses AB 495 after hours of testimony on caregiver authorization form

The Senate Committee on Appropriations on Wednesday placed AB 495, by Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez, on the committee’s suspense file after more than two hours of public testimony that ranged from constitutional and child‑safety concerns to arguments the bill would clarify school practices for immigrant families.

The committee’s action does not kill the measure; placing a bill on suspense holds it for further fiscal review before a final decision whether it moves to the Senate floor. Senator Wahab, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, opened the hearing noting the committee’s fiscal focus and that testimony would be limited to fiscal impacts.

The Department of Finance told the panel AB 495 would likely cause “significant general fund costs not included in the 2025 Budget Act,” including an estimated $5.4 million ongoing to the Department of Social Services for 29 positions to provide technical assistance, monitor licensed child‑care facilities for compliance, and process reports. Finance also flagged potential costs to the Department of Education and trial courts depending on caseload changes.

Opponents argued the bill would dismantle parental rights and expose schools and the state to costly litigation. “AB 495 would allow any unrelated adult who claims a mentoring relationship to pick up your child from school and make medical decisions without parental knowledge or consent,” said Greg Burr, vice president of the California Family Council, who warned the measure could prompt constitutional challenges and taxpayer‑funded lawsuits.

Several speakers, including mothers and immigrant advocates, pressed for stronger “guardrails” that would limit the bill’s scope and add vetting and verification steps before nonparents could assume care responsibilities. “We need to create guardrails … so this is only protecting immigrant children that no longer have parents in this country,” said one witness, who identified herself as a business owner and immigrant mother.

Supporters, including nonprofit legal services and education organizations, argued the bill would help clarify procedures for schools and protect children in emergencies. Kristin Power of the Alliance for Children’s Rights, a bill cosponsor, and Pamela Gibbs of the Los Angeles County Office of Education both urged the committee to consider the bill’s potential to reduce uncertainty for districts and families.

After public comment and a Finance presentation, the committee — citing unresolved fiscal and public‑safety questions — placed the bill on the suspense file for further review.

Votes and formal outcomes: AB 495 was moved to the suspense file by unanimous voice/consent of the committee at the conclusion of the hearing. The committee’s fiscal analysis and dozens of public comments will be included in the record for follow‑up consideration.

What’s next: Being on the suspense file means staff and the Appropriations Committee will weigh fiscal analyses and potential amendments; the bill could later be returned to committee, go to the floor, or remain in suspense.