Quote:
"It does not just pertain to children who are here with undocumented parents that have been detained. Instead, it applies to all children, in any circumstance, where a complete stranger can simply claim authority over a child, and then start making all sorts of decisions for the child's welfare, for health treatment. This is just insane," said Assemblymember Carl DeMaio.
Under this legislation, simply checking a box that says the person was "unable to contact the parent(s) or other person(s) having legal custody of the minor at this time, to notify them of my intended authorization" would allow someone to make major decision for a child.
"This bill does not have any verification, it doesn't need parent consent, it doesn't have any safeguards whatsoever. We already have child welfare laws in the state of California so if a parent does disappear, if a parent is hidden from ICE or they are picked up by ICE guard so we know where they are and its tracking," said Erin Friday with the nonprofit Our Duty.
