(a) Each eligible school operator and nongovernmental school operator shall require each student who is enrolled in a teacher preparation program, as defined in § 10-10a, and completing his or her student teaching experience with such eligible school operator or nongovernmental school operator, to (1) state, in writing, whether such student has ever been convicted of a crime or whether criminal charges are pending against such applicant at the time of such application and, if charges are pending, to state the charges and the court in which such charges are pending, (2) submit to a records check of the Department of Children and Families child abuse and neglect registry established pursuant to § 17a-101k, before such student begins such student teaching experience, and (3) on and after July 1, 2019, submit to state and national criminal history records checks within sixty days from the date such student begins to perform such student teaching experience. The criminal history records checks required by this section shall be conducted in accordance with § 29-17a.

(b) The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall waive the fee for a criminal history records check required under this section.