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Bill

AB 495

Family Preparedness Plan Act of 2025.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dawn Addis and 20 co-sponsors

California schools must create family reunification plans for emergencies, establish communication protocols, and inform families of procedures to reunite students during crises.

Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 664, Statutes of 2025.
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Bill Summary · AB 495

Legislative bill overview

AB 495 requires California public schools to develop and implement comprehensive family preparedness plans that outline procedures for reunifying students with families during emergencies, natural disasters, or other crises. The bill mandates that schools communicate these plans to families and establish clear protocols for student release and family communication during disruptions.

Why is this important

School emergencies—whether earthquakes, fires, active threats, or other disasters—create chaos that can separate students from families for extended periods. Clear preparedness plans reduce confusion, enable faster reunification, and help reduce parental anxiety and dangerous attempts by families to reach schools during emergencies. This is particularly critical in California, where seismic activity and wildfires pose ongoing risks.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Schools must develop, maintain, and regularly update plans, potentially straining already-limited budgets for materials, training, and coordination with first responders
  • One-size-fits-all concerns: Diverse school communities (urban, rural, varying population density) may struggle with standardized procedures that don't account for local geography and infrastructure challenges
  • Privacy and data management: Family contact information and detailed reunification procedures require secure management; data breaches could expose student and family information to security risks

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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