**California’s Assembly Bill 495: A Troubling Legislation Sparks Outrage Among Citizens**
In the Golden State, a storm is brewing over Assembly Bill 495, or as some might call it, the “Compassion Bill.” While the name sounds gentle and inviting, many Californian parents, like those at Calvary Chapel Chino Hills, are feeling anything but compassionate about its implications. Jack Hibbs, the founding senior pastor of the chapel, has been vocal about the dangers this bill poses to families and children across California.
Hibbs explains that the bill permits anyone to file a notice to withdraw a child from school if their parent is apprehended by ICE, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This means that a stranger could waltz into a school with no identification or connection to the child and claim that the child’s parent has been taken away. All they would need to do is print off an affidavit from their home, check a box, and sign their name. It doesn’t take a legal expert to recognize how alarming this is. If no one knows who took the child, it could create chaos in the lives of parents just trying to pick up their kids after a long day.
In recent weeks, Hibbs has been particularly engaged in rallying his congregation and the surrounding community to take action against this bill. He emphasizes that this isn’t merely a theoretical discussion; it’s a matter of safety for children in California schools. His passionate speeches have resonated with thousands, drawing over 6,500 attendees to a recent rally at the California State Capitol. According to Hibbs, this was the largest gathering concerning legislation of concern in over 30 years, showcasing the collective alarm among concerned parents. Yet, mainstream media outlets didn’t bother to show up, leading many to believe that the urgency of this situation is not being adequately covered.
As the bill darts through the legislative process, it has raised not just eyebrows but rooftops’ worth of concerns regarding the safety of children in the school system. Hibbs argues that California already has laws in place to care for children in emergencies, making the introduction of a bill like this seem unnecessary and an overreach of government authority. The vagueness of AB495 threatens essential child safety protocols previously established, and Hibbs highlights that many respected legal minds agree this legislation is fraught with danger.
In light of this situation, Hibbs and his supporters continue their fight against the bill while calling for Californians to remain vigilant. The bill has now been suspended, with lawmakers promising to reconsider its content. However, the concern is that once it is reintroduced, it may ultimately pass through California’s Democrat-dominated legislature. With predictions that Governor Gavin Newsom may attempt to position himself as a moderate by vetoing the bill later—merely for election gain—Hibbs warns citizens to remain on high alert.
The tension in California is palpable as citizens grapple with a government that seems increasingly out of touch with the needs and safety of families. With the future of AB495 uncertain, the rallying cry for active opposition has only strengthened in recent weeks. Whether one lives in California or just follows its policies from afar, the outcome of this legislation will have ripple effects on the broader fight for family safety and parental rights across the nation. With a potential presidential candidate like Newsom at the helm, everybody must keep an eye on California’s legislative antics, as they could very well set the stage for national discussions down the line.
