By Bo Tefu, California Black Media
California Lawmakers Consider Bill to Ease Short-Term Guardianships Amid Immigration Concerns
California lawmakers are weighing a proposal aimed at helping families maintain stability when parents face sudden separation — particularly due to immigration enforcement.
Assembly Bill 495, authored by Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez (D-San Fernando) and dubbed the Family Preparedness Act of 2025, would create a streamlined process in probate court for short-term guardianships. The measure allows parents to temporarily place their children in the care of a trusted adult without giving up parental rights.
“The cruel and unlawful federal immigration enforcement actions are spreading fear through many communities like mine,” said Rodriguez in a statement.
“Californians are scared to go to work, send their kids to school or make their medical appointments,” Rodriguez continued. “I am working on AB 495 with trusted legal attorneys and children’s advocates to help families facing family separation make caregiving arrangements
The bill expands the definition of “non-relative extended family member” eligible to receive a caregiver’s authorization affidavit, which grants legal authority to make decisions about a child’s education and health care. It also restricts how much schools and child care providers can cooperate with immigration authorities, a safeguard proponents say is key to keeping children in familiar environments.
Supporters argue the legislation would prevent service disruptions for children and give temporary caregivers legal recognition, ensuring they can enroll minors in school, take them to the doctor and meet other daily needs.
Critics, however, worry the bill could inadvertently weaken parental rights or open loopholes for custody disputes.
“Presto, someone walks away with your child.” This frightening possibility is compounded by the language of the bill, which does not limit its application to immigration-related scenarios but instead extends to any child for any reason,” says Erin Friday, a lead advocate against the bill. The legal implications are staggering: medical decisions, educational enrollments, and treatments of any nature could be made by strangers, removing parents from the equation entirely.
AB 495 cleared the Assembly earlier this year and now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee for review later this month. If passed, it would mark one of the most significant changes in California’s guardianship laws in years.
“As California embarks upon this concerning legislative path, it’s essential for lawmakers and citizens alike to recognize the potential ramifications of AB 495,” said Craig DeLuz, director of communications for the California Republican Assembly.
“No one disputes the need for compassion in times of crisis; however, it must be balanced with adequate protections to ensure that children, the most vulnerable among us, are not left at the mercy of unwarranted and unmonitored authority. Compassion without guardrails is not an act of mercy—it is a recipe for chaos, endangerment, and potential tragedy,” said DeLuz.
“Let me be clear, a caregiver’s authorization affidavit does not grant any level of legal custody, does not bypass child welfare protections, does not prevent authorities from investigating abuse or trafficking concerns, and does not supersede any parents’ rights,” said Rodriguez.
Newsom and Bonta: California’s Legal Fights With Trump Preserve $168 Billion in Federal Funds
California’s legal battles against the Trump Administration have preserved at least $168 billion in federal funds, according to Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta.
The money was secured after the state filed 37 lawsuits, dozens of amicus briefs, and strategic emergency litigation.
Over the last several years, the state has used litigation to block federal actions that threatened funding for health care, education, transportation, and public safety. California officials say the $5 million investment in legal action has not only protected essential services but also yielded a substantial return, equivalent to about $33,600 for every state dollar spent.
Since the start of Trump’s presidency, California has led or co-led 23 lawsuits and filed over 40 amicus briefs. Of the 19 cases in which courts issued early rulings, California won 17, including 13 court orders that remain in effect.
The California Department of Justice also protected $939 million in education funding, $972 million in public health support, $7 billion in transportation grants, and more than $300 million for electric-vehicle infrastructure. Many cases, including a lawsuit challenging the federalization of the California National Guard, are still in progress.
“California’s early, proactive, and defensive actions have helped maintain our values in the face of wholesale attacks,” Newsom said in an Aug. 4 statement. “We will keep defending this state and its people.”
Bonta emphasized the real-life impact of the legal wins.
“When the President breaks the law, my office stands ready to take him to court,” Bonta said. “We’re talking about people’s livelihoods, their health, their education, and in some cases, their lives.”
California has committed an additional $25 million to support legal efforts and expand access to civil legal aid for vulnerable residents.
Get Sign-Up Info: Listos California Is Hosting Regional Disaster Ready Summits
Community leaders across California are invited to attend the 2025 Listos California Regional Disaster Ready Summits, a statewide series of emergency preparedness workshops designed to strengthen local resilience before the next crisis hits.
The free events will take place in 10 cities from August through September, helping attendees become trusted messengers in their regions. Each summit offers hands-on tools, planning resources, and peer-to-peer connections to support disaster readiness in California’s most vulnerable communities.
Listos California launched the summit series in 2023 to bring emergency preparedness directly to community leaders. Unlike traditional disaster trainings, these summits emphasize trust-building, collaboration, and culturally responsive solutions.
“This work is about more than checklists,” said a spokesperson for Listos California. “It’s about people, relationships, and the kind of local knowledge that saves lives in emergencies.”
This year’s sessions will include plenary discussions and interactive breakout activities that help attendees assess regional needs, share strategies, and apply human-centered problem-solving approaches. Participants will leave with resources to support preparedness in their communities before, during, and after disasters.
Recommended attendees include emergency managers, local government communicators, CERT leaders, faith leaders, and representatives from community-based organizations and private companies involved in preparedness.
2025 Regional Disaster Ready Summit Dates:
- Aug. 5 – Blue Lake
- Aug. 14 – Sacramento (Hybrid: in person & virtual)
- Aug. 20 – Stockton
- Aug. 28 – San Jose
- Sept. 2 – Tulare (Spanish-language session with English translation)
- Sept. 9 – San Luis Obispo
- Sept. 12 – Los Angeles
- Sept. 16 – Rancho Mirage
- Sept. 18 – Chula Vista
Organizers suggest attending the summit closest to your service area for region-specific learning and networking. Space may be limited, so early registration is encouraged.
Listos California’s mission is to ensure all Californians, regardless of language, income, or access, are prepared when disaster strikes. These summits are part of a broader push to promote equity, coordination, and trust in emergency response efforts statewide.
To register, sign up here.
Gov. Newsom Announces Partnership With Tech Companies on AI
On Aug. 8, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced agreements with tech giants — Google, Adobe, IBM, and Microsoft — to provide artificial intelligence tools and training to more than 2 million California students and educators.
The initiative, part of the state’s broader effort to maintain its edge as a global technology leader, will provide high schools, community colleges, and California State University campuses with access to AI resources at no cost. State officials say the effort is designed to bridge the gap between education and the fast-changing tech economy by preparing students for high-paying careers in emerging fields while ensuring ethical and responsible use of the technology.
Google will expand no-cost access to its AI training programs for students and teachers, Adobe will provide generative AI classroom tools, IBM will integrate AI into career education programs, and Microsoft will continue AI and cybersecurity boot camps for community college faculty and students.
“AI is expected to touch nearly every aspect of the working world, so making sure California students are fluent in AI tools will give them a huge advantage as they start their careers,” said Stewart Knox, secretary of the Labor & Workforce Development Agency.
“Leveraging the state’s leadership in technology to train the current and future generation of California workers positions us to remain the world’s leader in emerging technologies,” said Nick Maduros, secretary of the California Government Operations Agency.
“With agreements like these, we are doing what California does best — investing in the innovation economy to create new industries and new opportunities,” said Dee Dee Myers, senior adviser to the governor and director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.
California is home to 33 of the world’s top 50 privately held AI companies. State leaders say the agreements will help keep the state competitive while building on Newsom’s 2023 executive order directing agencies to explore generative AI use in public services, from easing traffic congestion to improving customer service.
California Lawmakers Want to Use Bonds to Lower Utility Costs
California lawmakers are advancing two bills that would use $15 billion in state bond financing to pay for major utility grid upgrades, aiming to ease the state’s soaring electricity rates.
The measures, Senate Bill 254 by Sen. Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park) and Assembly Bill 825 by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine), would shift a portion of planned utility infrastructure spending from ratepayer-funded capital projects to lower-cost public financing. Supporters say the move could save Californians billions over the next decade by replacing profit-driven utility investments with state-backed bonds.
Utility customers in California now pay nearly twice the national average for electricity, and almost one in five are behind on their bills, according to state regulators. The state’s three largest utilities, Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas & Electric, have faced mounting criticism as wildfire-prevention projects and grid expansions increase costs.
“This is different from what we’ve seen in the past — and the solutions being sought by the legislature are more ambitious than what we’ve seen in recent years,” said Matthew Freedman, senior attorney at The Utility Reform Network (TURN), which supports SB 254.
TURN estimates the proposals could save about $8 billion over 30 years, with $7.5 billion of those savings coming in the first decade, which amounts to roughly $4 to $5 a month for the average residential customer.
Both bills have cleared their respective chambers despite opposition from investor-owned utilities, which argue public financing would cut into profits they earn on infrastructure spending.
SB 254 takes a broader approach, covering wildfire mitigation and grid expansion for growing electricity demand, while AB 825 focuses on undergrounding power lines to reduce wildfire risk. Lawmakers also included provisions to explore long-term public financing for large-scale transmission projects, modeled after similar efforts in New York and other states.
Supporters say public financing would not solve California’s affordability crisis but could deliver quick relief and position the state to control costs on future clean-energy investments.
“There’s no silver bullet,” Freedman said. “But we’re trying to get some near-term benefits here.”
California’s Child Care Expansion Shows Gains but Challenges Remain for Black Families
California’s recent investments in early care and education (ECE) have improved access and affordability for many families, but Black communities continue to face distinct challenges in finding and sustaining quality child care, according to a new policy brief released by the Public Policy Institute of California.
State and federal funding for subsidized child care has nearly tripled over the past decade, helping expand access to transitional kindergarten (TK) and increase licensed child care slots statewide.
However, California’s Black families often encounter difficulties locating affordable care, especially for infants and children who require care during nontraditional hours. Providers report that reimbursement rates have not kept pace with rising costs, affecting care quality and provider retention.
The report highlights that “over half of navigators (54%) in our survey say the affordability of subsidized care has improved recently,” but “over 75% of navigators say families can find affordable care for preschoolers but that it is harder to find for infants.” It also notes that “families needing care for non-traditional hours and children with special needs face difficulties,” a situation disproportionately affecting Black families.
Research conducted prior to the pandemic showed that Black, Pacific Islander, and Native American children were less likely to enroll in transitional kindergarten (TK) compared to other groups. Although more school districts now offer TK, these disparities in participation persist.
Navigators also report that “provider supply has decreased” in some areas, especially lower-income regions, exacerbating challenges for Black families seeking culturally responsive, flexible care options. TK expansion has shifted enrollment patterns, creating “difficulties for some providers as their enrollment has skewed toward younger children, changing providers’ training and staffing needs.”
The report emphasized the need for detailed data on how rate reforms and TK expansion impact child care programs, including availability across age groups and family needs. Such information is essential for policymakers to effectively address disparities and develop a sustainable childcare system that serves California’s diverse communities.