(a) Subject to the provisions of § 19a-493, the Department of Public Health shall make or cause to be made a biennial licensure inspection of all institutions and such other inspections and investigations of institutions and examination of their records as the department deems necessary.

(b) The commissioner, or an agent authorized by the commissioner to conduct any inquiry, investigation or hearing under the provisions of this chapter, shall have power to inspect the premises of an institution, issue subpoenas, order the production of books, records or documents, administer oaths and take testimony under oath relative to the matter of such inquiry, investigation or hearing. At any hearing ordered by the department, the commissioner or such agent may subpoena witnesses and require the production of records, papers and documents pertinent to such inquiry. If any person disobeys such subpoena or, having appeared in obedience thereto, refuses to answer any pertinent question put to such person by the commissioner or such agent or to produce any records and papers pursuant to the subpoena, the commissioner or such agent may apply to the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford or for the judicial district wherein the person resides or wherein the business has been conducted, setting forth such disobedience or refusal, and said court shall cite such person to appear before said court to answer such question or to produce such records and papers.

(c) The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, with respect to any behavioral health facility, shall be authorized, either upon the request of the Commissioner of Public Health or at such other times as they deem necessary, to enter such facility for the purpose of inspecting programs conducted at such facility. A written report of the findings of any such inspection shall be forwarded to the Commissioner of Public Health and a copy shall be maintained in such facility’s licensure file.

(d) In addition, when the Commissioner of Social Services deems it necessary, said commissioner, or a designated representative of said commissioner, may examine and audit the financial records of any nursing home facility, as defined in § 19a-521, any residential care home, as defined in § 19a-521, or any nursing facility management services certificate holder, as defined in § 19a-561. Each nursing home facility, residential care home and nursing facility management services certificate holder shall retain all financial information, data and records relating to the operation of the nursing home facility or residential care home for a period of not less than ten years, and all financial information, data and records relating to any real estate transactions affecting such operation, for a period of not less than twenty-five years, which financial information, data and records shall be made available, upon request, to the Commissioner of Social Services or such designated representative at all reasonable times. In connection with any inquiry, examination or investigation, the commissioner or the commissioner’s designated representative may issue subpoenas, order the production of books, records and documents, administer oaths and take testimony under oath. The Attorney General, upon request of said commissioner or the commissioner’s designated representative, may apply to the Superior Court to enforce any such subpoena or order.