AB 495 – Signed Into Law

Governor Gavin Newsom signed Alliance co-sponsored Assembly Bill 495 (C. Rodriguez, AD 43), the Family Preparedness Plan Act of 2025, into law on October 12.

In his signing message Governor Newsom noted, “Our children deserve to feel safe at home, in school and in the community. We are putting on record that we stand by our families and their right to keep their private information safe, maintain parental rights and help families prepare in case of emergencies.”

This landmark legislation helps protect children against unnecessary trauma, strengthens family stability, supports parents’ rights and ensures that schools and agencies are equipped to support families in times of crisis. AB 495 will create a new joint guardianship through the Probate Court allowing parents facing family separations to designate a joint guardian while preserving parental rights. It also will ensure that K-12 schools follow the most up-to-date policies to protect students and employees from immigration enforcement, and requires the Attorney General to issue model policies that limit assistance with immigration enforcement at childcare facilities and preschool programs.

AB 495 was co-sponsored with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), and Public Counsel and supported by a broad coalition of child advocates and anti-trafficking leaders. AB 495 will go into effect January 1, 2026.