(a) The Commissioner of Children and Families shall investigate the conditions stated in each application made under the provisions of sections 17a-145 and 17a-149 and shall require any person identified on the application under said sections and any individual eighteen years of age or older who is employed by a child care facility licensed pursuant to § 17a-145 to submit to (1) state and national criminal history records checks, (2) a check of the state child abuse and neglect registry established pursuant to § 17a-101k, and (3) a check of the child abuse and neglect registry in any state in which such person or individual resided in the preceding five years. The commissioner shall comply with any request to check the child abuse and neglect registry established pursuant to § 17a-101k made by the child welfare agency of another state. The commissioner shall investigate the conditions in each application under the provisions of sections 17a-145 and 17a-149 and, if the commissioner finds such conditions suitable for the proper care of children, or for the placing out of children, under such standards for the promotion of the health, safety, morality and well-being of such children as the commissioner prescribes, shall issue such license as is required as promptly as possible, without expense to the licensee. If, after such investigation, the commissioner finds that the applicant, notwithstanding good faith efforts, is not able to fully comply with all the requirements the commissioner prescribes, but compliance can be achieved with minimal efforts, the commissioner may issue a provisional license for a period not to exceed sixty days. The provisional license may be renewed for additional sixty-day periods, but in no event shall the total of such periods be for longer than one year. Before issuing any license, the commissioner shall give to the selectmen of the town wherein such licensee proposes to carry on the licensed activity ten days’ notice in writing that the issuance of such license is proposed, but such notice shall not be required in case of intention to issue such license to any corporation incorporated for the purpose of caring for or placing such children. Each license so issued shall specify whether it is granted for child-caring or child-placing purposes, shall state the number of children who may be cared for, shall be in force twenty-four months from date of issue, and shall be renewed for the ensuing twenty-four months, if conditions continue to be satisfactory to the commissioner. The commissioner shall provide such periodical inspections and review as shall safeguard the well-being, health and morality of all children cared for or placed under a license issued by the commissioner under this section and shall visit and consult with each such child and with the licensee as often as the commissioner deems necessary but at intervals of not more than ninety days. Each licensee under the provisions of this section shall file annually with the commissioner a report containing such information concerning its functions, services and operation, including financial data, as the commissioner requires. Any license issued under this section may be revoked, suspended or limited by the commissioner for cause, after notice given to the person or entity concerned and after opportunity for a hearing thereon. Any party whose application is denied or whose license is revoked, suspended or limited by the commissioner may appeal from such adverse decision in accordance with the provisions of § 4-183. Appeals under this section shall be privileged in respect to the order of trial assignment.

(b) The criminal history records checks required pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be conducted in accordance with § 29-17a.