Violation

California Code § 101221(b)(5)Emergency Contact Records

How CCLD inspectors cite this regulation, what providers do to stay clear of it, and where it appears in the public record.

Type B, generalAffects Child Care Centers3 facilities cited in the last 90 days

ℹ️ Educational reference based on public CCLD inspection records. Not legal or compliance advice. Verify requirements with official sources. Full disclaimer →

Regulation text

What California Code § 101221(b)(5) actually says

California Code § 101221(b)(5)

Name, address and telephone number of the child's authorized representative and of relatives or others who can assume responsibility for the child if the authorized representative cannot be reached when necessary.

From the field

What providers tell us about this citation

Based on community experience, not official guidance.

Inspectors pull children's files and look for complete emergency contact information, including backup contacts beyond the parent. The key phrase is 'relatives or others who can assume responsibility,' meaning someone who can physically pick up the child when the parent is unreachable. Inspectors check whether phone numbers are current by looking at enrollment dates versus the last time the form was updated. A file with a two-year-old phone number raises questions. Update emergency contacts at least every six months and have parents initial the update. Keep at least two backup contacts per child, with confirmed current numbers.

By the numbers

3^*CCLD: facilities cited in the last 90 days
3^*CCLD: counties where this citation appeared
156^*CCLD: rank among most-common citations
Trajectory: More citations than the prior period
+2 facilities

3 facilities were cited for this in the last 90 days. See if yours is one of them.

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Regional record

Where this citation appeared in the past 90 days

Citation counts and rates by California county, drawn from CCLD inspection records. Click a county to see its weekly intelligence report.

Regional citations for Emergency Contact Records, last 90 days
County	Citations	Facilities	Citation rate
Butte	1	--	--
Los Angeles	1	--	--
Contra Costa	1	--	--

SOURCE

*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citations2026-05-05Updated weekly

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Answers based on public CCLD data and regulation text. May not reflect recent changes.

What is the Emergency Contact Information Requirement?

California Code Section 101221(b)(5) requires each child's file to include the name, address, and telephone number of people authorized to assume responsibility for the child when a parent can't be reached. This goes beyond a single backup number. You need multiple contacts with complete information, including physical addresses, who have agreed to pick up the child in an emergency. Gaps in this paperwork show up fast when an inspector opens a file.

How common is this citation?

According to California CCLD inspection records as of March 15, 2026, 2 facilities have been cited for this violation in the past 90 days across 2 California counties, including Butte and Contra Costa. The citation ratio is roughly 1 in 20,000 inspected facilities. Despite the low frequency, this is one of the easiest citations to prevent since it comes down to keeping forms complete and current.

What triggers this citation during an inspection?

Inspectors open children's files and check whether emergency contact forms include name, address, and phone number for each backup contact. Based on CCLD inspection patterns, the most common finding is a form with phone numbers but missing physical addresses, or a single emergency contact besides the parent. Inspectors also look at enrollment dates versus when the form was last updated. A two-year-old form with no recent verification raises a red flag and gets documented.

How can I prevent this citation?

List at least two backup contacts per child beyond the parent, with full name, current address, and working phone number for each. Build contact verification into your re-enrollment process every six months, and have parents initial the updated form. Confirm that each listed contact actually knows they're responsible for picking up the child. A 10-minute form review during re-enrollment prevents this citation entirely.

What should I do if I receive this citation?

Send updated emergency contact forms home with every family within 48 hours. Require completed forms back before the child's next attendance day. Verify that each contact includes name, physical address, and current phone number. Set a calendar reminder to repeat this process every six months going forward. Submit your Plan of Correction with copies of corrected forms and your new update schedule. For complex situations, consider consulting a licensed childcare compliance specialist.

Related violations

Other citations in this regulation family

This information is educational and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed child care compliance consultant for guidance specific to your facility. Citation data is sourced from California Community Care Licensing Division public records and is refreshed regularly.

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