Latest Updates

Oct. 12 | Bill signed into law by Governor Newsom

On October 12, Governor Gavin Newsom signed A.B. 495 as amended. Though we did not support its passing, we are grateful that because of your advocacy, the California Legislature removed some of the most dangerous provisions to the bill prior to it being signed into law. Governor Newsom also included some good language about parental rights and the context of the bill in his signing statement.

HSLDA is dedicated to ensuring that this bill never threatens members of HSLDA or homeschool freedom in California. Watch a video update from Will Estrada here.

Sept. 19 | Bill awaiting Governor Newsom's signature

A.B. 495 has now passed the California Legislature and is awaiting consideration by Governor Gavin Newsom.

We urge you to review the changes and make your voice heard as Governor Newsom considers whether to sign A.B. 495 into law.

You can contact Governor Newsom here.

HSLDA is grateful to CHEA and FPM for working alongside us to advocate for homeschooling families in California.

Sept. 11 | Senate amends A.B. 495; Passed by the Senate & House

On Friday, September 5, the California Senate made significant changes to A.B. 495. The bill was then passed as amended by the California Senate by a vote of 29–10 on September 10. The California Assembly concurred with those amendments by a vote of 60–20 on September 11.

You can read the final version of A.B. 495 as passed by the California Legislature here.

The amendments to A.B. 495 were significant and indicate that the California legislature had heard at least some of the concerns raised by millions of Californians. Among other changes, the “nonrelative extended family member” provision was removed.

However, other concerning provisions remained in the bill, including leaving “unable to contact” undefined, which means that even a short delay in reaching a parent could give others power over their child. And the expansion of the definition of “relative” continues a trend in California of weakening parental rights.

Additionally, the legislature’s amendments to A.B. 495 did not address the underlying constitutional issues that have remained in the law since it was first passed in 1994.

Aug. 29 | Committee approves the bill and sends to full Senate

On Aug. 29, the Senate Appropriations Committee met to discuss bills on the Senate Suspense File, including A.B. 495. The committee approved the bill with several amendments and sent it to the full Senate for consideration by a 5–2 vote.

Senators Kelly Seyarto and Megan Dahle were the only two on the committee to vote against A.B. 495. If they are your senators, please thank them for standing up for families.

You can read the amended version that is currently pending on the Senate floor.

Notably, the amended version removed any requirement that the caregiver affidavit be notarized, removing an additional safeguard. (This affidavit allows certain adults to make some parental decisions on behalf of children without formal guardianship.) The new version also kept in the new and very concerning language adding a “nonrelative extended family member” as someone who can make decisions for a child, and added a severability clause, which means that if the law is challenged in court and held unconstitutional, only the challenged sections would be struck, and the rest of the law would remain.

We believe this means that not only are California legislators ignoring the concerns that have been raised—they are doubling down.

Please call your California state senator as soon as possible, as the bill could come up for a vote before the full Senate at any time. Please respectfully but firmly ask them to oppose A.B. 495 to protect families in California. You can use this California state government link to type in your address and find your state senator’s contact information.

Aug. 18 | Bill placed on Senate Suspense File; Scheduled to be heard Aug. 29

On August 18, A.B. 495 was voted to be placed on the Senate Suspense File.

The Senate Appropriations Committee is scheduled to meet on Friday, August 29, and a vote to remove the bill from the Suspense File and send to the full Senate for a vote could happen at the Friday meeting.  

Please call your California state senator today and respectfully but firmly ask him or her to oppose A.B. 495 to protect families in California. You can use this California state government link to type in your address and find your state senator’s contact information.

Aug. 15 | Bill to be heard by committee on August 18

AB 495 is scheduled to be heard by the Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday, August 18 at 10 am. The bill already passed the Assembly on June 3. 

We need advocates to ask their California state senator to reject AB 495. Call now to protect parental rights! To look up your California state senator, type your address into this California government webpage.

California Policy is hosting a rally on Tuesday, August 19 in Sacramento to stand for parental rights and urge lawmakers to reject AB 495. Bring signs, friends, and your commitment to protecting families. Your presence will make a difference.

Summary of AB 495

AB 495 is being promoted as a compassionate fix for families in crisis when a parent is detained or deported. But the bill’s text doesn’t limit its use to immigration-related emergencies—it could apply in any situation that meets its broad definitions. As amended, it:

  • Leaves “unable to contact” undefined, meaning even brief delays could strip parents of decision-making authority when it comes to children’s education and medical care.
  • Requires no proof that the parent entrusted the child to the caregiver.
  • Builds on a constitutionally shaky 1994 law without fixing its flaws.