A California pastor is urging families to consider leaving the state if a controversial bill, which would change the criteria for who can claim caregiver rights over a child, is signed into law. The pastor, Jack Hibbs of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills, described the proposed legislation as potentially the most perilous ever to come from the state. He argues that if the bill, known as the Family Preparedness Plan Act (AB 495), becomes law, families would need to move away for the protection of their children.
Pastor Hibbs is leading a rally at the Sacramento Capitol on a Tuesday afternoon, asking Governor Gavin Newsom to veto the bill. The legislation is meant to provide a safety net for immigrant children who are at risk of being separated from their families because of immigration enforcement. The bill’s wording would allow a caregiver who is either a relative or has an established family or mentoring relationship with a child to sign a caregiver’s authorization affidavit.
