California’s Caregiver Expansion Bill Put On Ice After Backlash

A California bill, AB 495, which aims to expand who can act as a caregiver —specifically for children of illegal immigrant families — was moved to suspension Monday after a hearing by the state Senate Appropriations Committee.

Introduced by Democrat Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez in February, AB 495, also known as the Family Preparedness Plan Act of 2025, would expand who can execute a caregiver’s authorization affidavit to include a “nonrelative extended family member,” granting them the same rights to authorize school-related medical care. The bill passed the Assembly floor in June before being brought to the Senate Appropriations Committee for Monday’s hearing.

Following pushback from voters during the hearing, the committee announced the bill would be moved to suspension, which serves “as a way to consider the fiscal impacts to the state of legislation as a whole,” according to its website.

Despite opposition from parental groups, Democrats have defended the measure as critical to protecting illegal immigrant families and children at risk of deportation.

In July, the Los Angeles City Council passed a resolution supporting the legislation, with Councilwoman Imelda Padilla saying that no child “should face separation without a plan.”

“No child should face separation without a plan, and no family should be left vulnerable. Creating a family action plan is incredibly important, especially in a time when our hardworking immigrant families are being unfairly targeted and forced to live in fear,” Padilla said.