(a) Upon receipt of an application for approval to work as a head teacher or an educational consultant in a licensed child care center or group child care home, the Commissioner of Early Childhood shall issue such approval to any person who satisfies the requirements established by regulations adopted pursuant to § 19a-79.

(b) Whenever the Commissioner of Early Childhood has reason to believe that any person who has been issued an approval to work as a head teacher or an educational consultant in a licensed child care center or group child care home, pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, (1) has failed substantially to comply with the regulations adopted pursuant to § 19a-79, (2) has knowingly made or causes to be made any false or misleading statements to the Office of Early Childhood, or (3) has engaged in any other behavior that renders the person unsuitable to so work as a head teacher or an educational consultant, the commissioner may notify such person in writing of the commissioner’s intention to suspend or revoke such approval. Such notice shall be served by certified mail stating the particular reasons for the intended suspension or revocation. Such person may, if aggrieved by such intended suspension or revocation, make application for a hearing in writing over such person’s signature to the commissioner. Such person shall state in the application in plain language the reasons why such person claims to be aggrieved. The application shall be delivered to the commissioner not later than thirty days after such person’s receipt of notification of the intended suspension or revocation. The commissioner shall thereupon hold a hearing or cause a hearing to be held not later than sixty days after receipt of such application and shall, at least ten days prior to the date of such hearing, mail a notice, giving the time and place of the hearing, to such person. The hearing may be conducted by the commissioner or by a hearing officer appointed by the commissioner in writing. Such person and the commissioner or hearing officer may issue subpoenas requiring the attendance of witnesses. Such person shall be entitled to be represented by counsel and a transcript of the hearing shall be made. If the hearing is conducted by a hearing officer, the hearing officer shall state the hearing officer’s findings and make a recommendation to the commissioner on the issue of suspension or revocation. The commissioner, based upon the findings and recommendation of the hearing officer, or after a hearing conducted by the commissioner, shall render the commissioner’s decision in writing suspending, revoking or continuing such approval. A copy of the decision shall be sent by certified mail to such person. The decision suspending or revoking such approval shall become effective thirty days after it is mailed by registered or certified mail to such person. Any person aggrieved by the decision of the commissioner may appeal as provided in § 19a-85. Any person whose approval has been revoked pursuant to this subsection shall be ineligible to apply for an approval for a period of one year from the effective date of revocation.

(c) The provisions of this section shall not apply to the denial of an initial application for an approval to work as a head teacher or an educational consultant in a licensed child care center or group child care home, pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, provided the commissioner shall notify the applicant of any such denial and the reasons for such denial by mailing written notice to the applicant at the applicant’s address shown on the application for such approval.