The Family Preparedness Plan Act of 2025 (Assembly Bill 495) focuses on providing stability for children when parents are temporarily unavailable due to events like immigration enforcement or military service. The bill does not change the fact that a child's parent or legal guardian is the primary person authorized to release a student from school. School districts will first adhere to the emergency contact information provided by the parent or legal guardian at the time of enrollment.

 

The key provision of AB 495 involves standardizing the use of the existing Caregiver's Authorization Affidavit (CAA) found within California Family Code § 6552. This affidavit is a legal tool that allows an adult living with the child to enroll the minor in school and consent to school-related medical care. AB 495 expanded the group of people who can use this affidavit beyond the original definition of a relative to include a broader range of relatives related by blood, adoption, or affinity (relationship) within the fifth degree of kinship.  Therefore, Bonita Unified School District strongly encourages families to update their emergency contacts to include such relatives. Please note, any provisions in prior drafts of AB 495 that included references to “nonrelative extended family members” have been removed by the Legislature and does not appear in the legislation signed by the Governor. 

 

Crucially, a CAA does not transfer legal custody from a parent; it is a temporary arrangement. The bill aims to ensure that schools consistently recognize this affidavit when a parent is unable to be contacted, which supports a Family Preparedness Plan for families facing separation. The best way for parents to ensure their child is released to a trusted adult is to keep their emergency contact list with the school accurate and up-to-date.