Senate Appropriations Committee Approves AB 495 Undermines Parental Rights
Bill No Longer Suspended; Moves on to Senate Floor; Citizen Action Needed
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CALIRED NEWS–The Capitol Resource Institute today (Sept. 2) is seeking urgent emergency citizen action to Stop AB 495 which is now on the Senate Floor after being initially suspended following the Stop AB 495 Rally which brought 3,000 to the Sacramento Capitol with 2,000 lobbying legislators on Tuesday, Aug. 19.
“We need everyone to take action immediately: Contact your Senator and urge them to vote NO on AB 495,” said Karen England, Executive Director of the Capitol Resource Institute. “Sign the petition to Governor Newsom–so if this dangerous bill reaches his desk, he knows the people are demanding a VETO.
“This bill is a parent rights disaster, packed with loopholes and stripped of every safeguard…We’re in the final stretch, and it’s all hands on deck. Advocacy doesn’t come cheap. We need your help today. If you believe in this cause, now is the time to show it. Let’s finish strong!”
Questions for Capitol Research Institute:
Q: Isn’t this going to the Senate floor? Why aren’t we focusing on the Senate instead of going straight to the Governor?
A: Our petition is directed to the Governor, but it can also be used to show senators where the people stand. We will continue sending out action alerts to contact your senator. However, based on the latest information, we anticipate the bill will ultimately land on the Governor’s desk. That’s why it’s “all hands on deck” right now.
Q: How did the amendments make the bill worse?
A: Before the amendments, the affidavit clearly stated: “There is no parent signature required.” But it also allowed districts to require additional proof of residency, such as a notarized signature to verify the caregiver’s identity. The new amendment, however, says: “This form is not required to be notarized.” By writing this directly into the bill, school boards are now forbidden from adding notarization as a safeguard.
Can I sign the petition if I don’t live in California?
A: Yes! Governor Newsom is widely seen as positioning himself for a presidential run. This means the rest of America needs to know exactly where he stands on this issue.
(Editor’s Note: See CaliRed News coverage of Stop AB 495 on Aug 21: “Media Response To Stop AB 495 Brings 3,000 To Sacramento Capitol”; Aug. 20: “Stop AB 495 Attracts 3,000 To Sacramento Capitol” and Aug. 12: “Stop AB 495 Email & Phone Campaign”; and Aug. 11: “Pastor Jack Hibbs Calls Thousands To Sacramento Capitol To Stop AB 495″ .)
CaliRed News is a column posted on Making California Red by the 2026 elections through reaching Gen Z (ages 13-28), Hispanics, and Christians with biblical traditional values and their pastors. CaiRed News reports on political, business, community, nonprofit, and church news.
Mike Hernandez is co-founder of the Citizens Journal–Ventura County’s online news service and writes for Citizens Journal and Mountain Top Media. He is a former Southern California daily newspaper journalist and religion and news editor, writer of “CaliRed News” and “Prayer Over News Daily” and edits the weekly “Stories Speak Volumes” and other columns. Mr. Hernandez mentors citizen journalists/podcasters and can be contacted here.
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