Part 1.5 - CAREGIVERS

California Family Code — §§ 6550-6552

Sections (2)

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 664, Sec. 4. (AB 495) Effective January 1, 2026.

(a)A caregiver’s authorization affidavit that meets the requirements of this part authorizes a caregiver 18 years of age or older who completes items 1 to 4, inclusive, of the affidavit provided in Section 6552 and signs the affidavit to enroll a minor in school and consent to school-related medical care on behalf of the minor. A caregiver who is a relative and who completes items 1 to 8, inclusive, of the affidavit provided in Section 6552 and signs the affidavit shall have the same rights to authorize medical care and dental care for the minor that are given to guardians under Section 2353 of the Probate Code. The medical care authorized by this caregiver who is a relative may include mental health treatment subject to the limitations of Section 2356 of the Probate Code.
(b)The decision of a caregiver to consent to or to refuse medical or dental care for a minor shall be superseded by any contravening decision of the parent or other person having legal custody of the minor, provided the decision of the parent or other person having legal custody of the minor does not jeopardize the life, health, or safety of the minor.
(c)A person who acts in good faith reliance on a caregiver’s authorization affidavit to provide medical or dental care, without actual knowledge of facts contrary to those stated on the affidavit, is not subject to criminal liability or to civil liability to any person, and is not subject to professional disciplinary action, for that reliance if the applicable portions of the affidavit are completed. This subdivision applies even if medical or dental care is provided to a minor in contravention of the wishes of the parent or other

person having legal custody of the minor as long as the person providing the medical or dental care has no actual knowledge of the wishes of the parent or other person having legal custody of the minor.

(d)A person who relies on the affidavit has no obligation to make any further inquiry or investigation.
(e)Nothing in this section relieves any individual from liability for violations of other provisions of law.
(f)If the minor stops living with the caregiver, the caregiver shall notify any school, health care provider, or health care service plan that has been given the affidavit. The affidavit is invalid after the school, health care provider, or health care service plan receives notice that the minor is no longer living with the caregiver.
(g)A

caregiver’s authorization affidavit shall be invalid, unless it substantially contains, in not less than 10-point boldface type or a reasonable equivalent thereof, the warning statements specified in Section 6552. The warning statements shall be enclosed in a box with 3-point type rule lines.

(h)For purposes of this part, the following terms have the following meanings:
(1)“Person” includes an individual, corporation, partnership, association, the state, or any city, county, city and county, or other public entity or governmental subdivision or agency, or any other legal entity.
(2)“Relative” means an adult who is related to the child by blood, adoption, or affinity within the fifth degree of kinship, including all stepparents, stepsiblings, and all relatives whose status is preceded by the words “great,”

“great-great,” or “grand,” or the spouse of any of the persons specified in this definition, even after the marriage has been terminated by death or dissolution.

(3)“School-related medical care” means medical care, including immunizations, physical examinations, and medical examinations conducted in schools for pupils, that is required by state or local governmental authority as a condition for school enrollment or participation in local educational agency-related extracurricular activities.

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 664, Sec. 5. (AB 495) Effective January 1, 2026.

The caregiver’s authorization affidavit shall be in substantially the following form:

Notices:

1.This declaration does not affect the

rights of the minor’s parents or legal guardian regarding the care, custody, and control of the minor, and does not mean that the caregiver has legal custody of the minor.

2.A person who relies on this affidavit has no obligation to make any further inquiry or investigation.

Additional Information:

TO CAREGIVERS:

1.“Relative,” for purposes of item 5, means an adult who is related to the child by blood, adoption, or affinity within the fifth degree of kinship, including stepparents, stepsiblings, and all relatives whose status is preceded by the words “great,” “great-great,” or “grand,” or the spouse of any of these persons even if the marriage was terminated by death or dissolution.

2.The law may require you,

if you are not a relative, or a currently licensed, certified, or approved foster parent, to obtain resource family approval pursuant to Section 1517 of the Health and Safety Code or Section 16519.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code in order to care for a minor. If you have any questions, please contact your local department of social services.

3.If the minor stops living with you, the affidavit is no longer valid. You are required to notify any school, health care provider, or health care service plan to which you have given this affidavit that the minor is no longer living with you and that, as a result, the affidavit is no longer valid.

4.If you do not have the information requested in item 8 (California driver’s license or I.D., or government-issued consular card), provide another form of identification such as your social security number or Medi-Cal number.

TO SCHOOL OFFICIALS:

1.Section 48204 of the Education Code provides that this affidavit constitutes a sufficient basis for a determination of residency of the minor, without the requirement of a guardianship or other custody order, unless the school district determines from actual facts that the minor is not living with the caregiver.

2.The school district may require additional reasonable evidence that the caregiver lives at the address provided in item 4.

3. A seal or signature of the court is not required. This form is not required to be notarized.

TO HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AND HEALTH CARE SERVICE PLANS:

1.When signed by a relative,

this affidavit shall confer the same rights to authorize medical care and dental care for the minor that are given to guardians under Section 2353 of the Probate Code. The medical care authorized by a relative caregiver may include mental health treatment subject to the limitations of Section 2356 of the Probate Code.2.A health care service provider who acts in good faith reliance upon a caregiver’s authorization affidavit to provide medical or dental care, without actual knowledge of facts contrary to those stated on the affidavit, is not subject to criminal liability or to civil liability to any person, and is not subject to professional disciplinary action, for that reliance if the applicable portions of the form are completed. A seal or signature of the court is not required. This form is not required to be notarized.

3.This affidavit does not confer dependency for health care coverage

purposes.