- On Oct. 12, 2025, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that he signed Assembly Bill 495, also known as the Family Preparedness Plan Act, into law. In the months leading up to its passage, the bill drew significantcontroversy online amid claims it could facilitate child exploitation. Those claims persisted after Newsom signed AB 495, with some people on socialmedia calling it the “legalized kidnapping” bill.
- AB 495 is aimed at helping California families make caregiving arrangements during situations like a deportation, incarceration or illness, among others.
- The bill references an official form known as a caregiver’s authorization affidavit and expands who can fully use it by broadening the definition of eligible relatives.
- Our review found several popular claims about AB 495, i ncluding that it allows someone who isn’t related to a child to “take custody” of them, were false or lacking important context.
On Oct. 12, 2025, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that he had signed Assembly Bill 495, also known as the Family Preparedness Plan Act, into law.
In the months leading up to its passage, the bill drew significantcontroversy online due to claims it could facilitate child exploitation In California. Those claims persisted after Newsom signed AB 495, with some people on socialmedia calling it the “legalized kidnapping” bill.
“This bill DESTROYS parents rights and allows non-relatives to fill out a 1 page form to pick up your kid without your consent,” one X user wrote (archived)…