(a) When a local child protective agency, as defined in § 11165 of the Penal Code, has a reasonable suspicion, as defined in subdivision (a) of § 11166 of the Penal Code, that the death or serious injury of a child occurred at a child day care facility because of abuse or willful neglect by the personnel of the child day care facility, the agency shall immediately notify the director.

(b) Within two working days of receipt of the evidence that the death or serious injury occurred at a child day care facility because of abuse or willful neglect by the personnel of the child day care facility, the department shall temporarily suspend the license, registration, or special permit of the facility, and shall immediately notify the licensee, registrant, or holder of the special permit of the temporary suspension and the effective date thereof and at the same time serve the provider with an accusation. The hearing shall be set and conducted in the manner provided in Section 1596.886, and the temporary suspension shall have the same effect and duration as provided in Section 1596.886.

(c) The director shall request that the city police, county sheriff, or other law enforcement agencies, and any other county agencies, investigating the death or serious injury of the child shall expedite and coordinate evidence gathering in the case, and, to the extent that providing the evidence will not adversely affect any criminal prosecution, make that evidence available as soon as possible for the purposes of the hearing on the temporary suspension.

(d) As used in this section, “serious injury” means a serious impairment of physical condition, including, but not limited to, the following: loss of consciousness; concussion; bone fracture; protracted loss or impairment of function of any bodily member or organ; a wound requiring extensive suturing; and serious disfigurement.

(Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 538, Sec. 364. Effective January 1, 2007.)