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Fact check: Can the AB 495 affidavit be used for non-medical vaccine exemptions?

Checked on August 8, 2025

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, AB 495 cannot be used for non-medical vaccine exemptions. The sources reveal a fundamental disconnect between what AB 495 actually addresses and the question being asked.

AB 495 is specifically designed to help immigrant families plan for potential separation due to immigration enforcement actions by allowing parents to designate temporary guardians for their children [1]. The bill's provisions focus on temporary custody arrangements and parental rights in immigration contexts [2] [3], with no connection whatsoever to vaccine exemptions.

Meanwhile, California's vaccination landscape is governed by entirely different legislation. SB 277, implemented in 2016, eliminated non-medical exemptions for school-entry vaccination requirements [4]. The sources addressing vaccine exemptions discuss medical exemptions and policy changes affecting exemption rates [5], but none of the vaccine-related sources mention AB 495 [6] [4] [5].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question appears to conflate two completely separate areas of California law. Several critical pieces of context are missing:

  • AB 495's actual purpose: The bill addresses immigration-related family separation concerns, not healthcare or vaccination policies [1] [2]
  • Current California vaccine exemption law: Non-medical exemptions were eliminated by SB 277 in 2016, leaving only medical exemptions available [4]
  • The controversy surrounding AB 495: Critics argue the bill threatens parental rights by allowing unrelated adults to gain temporary custody without proper oversight [3]

Different stakeholders would benefit from various interpretations:

  • Immigration advocacy groups would benefit from AB 495's passage to protect immigrant families
  • Parental rights advocates oppose AB 495, viewing it as government overreach into family decisions
  • Public health officials would benefit from maintaining strict vaccine exemption policies established by SB 277

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question contains a fundamental factual error by suggesting AB 495 has any connection to vaccine exemptions. This appears to be either:

  • Confusion between different California bills - mixing up AB 495 (immigration/custody) with vaccine-related legislation
  • Potential misinformation that incorrectly links unrelated legislative measures
  • Misunderstanding of California's legal framework regarding both immigration policy and vaccination requirements

The question's premise is factually incorrect based on the available evidence, as AB 495 deals exclusively with temporary guardianship in immigration contexts [1] [2] while vaccine exemptions are governed by separate statutes like SB 277 [4].

Want to dive deeper?
What are the specific requirements for submitting an AB 495 affidavit in California?
Can the AB 495 affidavit be used for medical vaccine exemptions as well?
How does the AB 495 affidavit process differ from other states' vaccine exemption procedures?
What are the potential consequences of falsifying information on an AB 495 affidavit?
How has the implementation of AB 495 affected vaccine exemption rates in California schools?