(a) The Commissioner of Children and Families shall (1) require each applicant for a position with the department to state in writing whether such person has ever been convicted of a crime or whether criminal charges are pending against such person at the time such person submits an application, and (2) require each applicant to submit to state and national criminal history records checks, in accordance with § 29-17a. The commissioner shall also check the state child abuse registry established pursuant to § 17a-101k for the name of such applicant.

(b) The Commissioner of Children and Families shall require each vendor or contractor of the department and each employee of such vendor or contractor that provides direct services to children or youths in the care and custody of the department or that has access to the department’s records to submit to state and national criminal history records checks, in accordance with § 29-17a. The commissioner shall check the (1) state child abuse and neglect registry established pursuant to § 17a-101k for the name of such vendor or contractor and each employee of such vendor or contractor that provides direct services to children or youths in the care and custody of the department or has access to records of the department, and (2) child abuse and neglect registry in any state in which a vendor or contractor or employee of a vendor or contractor that provides direct services to children or youths in the care and custody of the department or has access to records of the department has resided in the preceding five years for the name of such vendor or contractor or employee. 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.