Jack Hibbs, a well-known California preacher, told thousands of congregations to “pack up and leave” the state if they pass a bill that would allow lawmakers to take charge of their children without warning their parents.
“If this bill passes, I’ll ask you to leave California,” Hibbs said over the weekend. “You have to pack your bags and go out. You have to leave. You have to run with your kids. You have to go.”
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Hibbs was not a stranger in his bold declaration, and admitted that he broke the law by encouraging the church in Calvary Chapelchino Hills in 2024 by encouraging Republican votes transparently. He is currently speaking against Congressional Bill 495. This has been approved by Congress and is awaiting review from the state Senate Appropriations Committee before considering a floor voting.
Supporters of the controversial bill see it as a necessary response to President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration. In a “fact sheet” on the proposal, MP Celeste Rodriguez (D) argued that the bill “protects immigrants and mixed-status families by ensuring that emergency contact information and plans for family safety are up to date.
The goal advocates are to drive away any disruptions in education and care for children if parents suddenly become unavailable due to deportation or detention.
But that’s not how the enemy sees the proposed law. This allows unrelated adults with a “family” connection or “mentoring relationship” with legal authority over a child with a single affidavit that does not require parental consent.
The affidavit requires that the caregiver “advised and did not object to the parent or other person that he had minority legal custody of the intention to approve medical care,” or “we were unable to contact a parent who has legal custody rights of the present.”
The “Notice” section of the affidavit states, “This declaration does not affect the rights of the minor’s parents or legal guardian, or does not affect the care, custody, and control of the minor, and does not imply that the caregiver has legal custody of the minor.” However, in some places, “the parent’s signature or a seal or signature from the court is not required.”
Hibbs warned that AB 495 would force “caregivers” to make important medical decisions for the child, including approval for vaccinations and physical examinations. He cited the bill text. The text states “the “caregiver” who signs the affidavit.
Such laws were born because Christians were not active politically, he said.
See Matthew 12:43-45, Hibbs told his congregation, “Here we are; evil always fills the blank or empty seats; and Jesus said so.”
Hibbs, the leader of an organization called Real Impact, urged church participants to remove August 19 from work to attend a rally at the State Capitol in Sacramento.
“In AB 495, 100% wants to make a statement to protect 100% of parents’ rights,” the pastor said. “(w)e lets it continue — or we make some noise. I’m going to ask you to support righteousness and do the right thing.”
The California Senate Budget Committee is set for a hearing on August 18th over the bill.
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