California Code § 101212(d): Incident Reporting Timeline

❌ Common Mistakes

• Waiting for the written report deadline to make any contact with licensing. The regulation requires a phone or fax notification by the next business day, separate from the 7-day written report. Skipping the verbal report is its own citation, even if you submit the written one on time.
• Applying your own judgment about what qualifies as "serious enough" to report. Providers skip reports for injuries they consider minor or incidents where no one was visibly hurt. Inspectors don't evaluate your judgment call favorably when they find unreported incidents in children's files.
• Missing the "next working day" window because an incident happens on a Friday afternoon. Monday morning is your deadline in that case, not Tuesday. If the incident happens before a holiday weekend, the clock starts on the next regular business day, and you need to call during normal hours.
• Submitting the written report but keeping it vague to avoid scrutiny. Inspectors compare your report against parent statements and medical records. Inconsistencies or missing details generate follow-up visits and additional documentation requests.
• Failing to keep copies of your own reports and confirmation of receipt. If licensing says they never got your fax, you need proof you sent it. Print confirmation pages and save email receipts in the incident file.