(a) Any licensee child care center or group child care home, as described in section 19a-77, that fails to provide written notice to (1) the Office of Early Childhood, (2) all staff employed at such child care center or group child care home, and (3) the parents or guardians of children receiving child care services, as described in section 19a-77, at such child care center or group child care home, at least thirty days prior to the effective date of a proposed closure of such child care center or group child care home, shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than five thousand dollars.
(b) If the Commissioner of Early Childhood has reason to believe that a violation has occurred for which a civil penalty is authorized by subsection (a) of this section, he or she may send to such licensee by certified mail, return receipt requested, or personally serve upon such licensee, a notice which shall include: (1) A reference to the section or sections of the general statutes or regulations involved; (2) a short and plain statement of the matters asserted or charged; (3) a statement of the maximum civil penalty which may be imposed for such violation; and (4) a statement of the licensee's right to request a hearing, such request to be submitted in writing to the commissioner not later than thirty days after the notice is mailed or served.
(c) If such licensee so requests, the commissioner shall cause a hearing to be held. The hearing shall be held in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. If such licensee fails to request a hearing or fails to appear at the hearing or if, after the hearing, the commissioner finds that the licensee has committed such violation, the commissioner may, in his or her discretion, order that a civil penalty be imposed that is not greater than the penalty stated in the notice. The commissioner shall send a copy of any order issued pursuant to this subsection by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the licensee named in such order.
(P.A. 19-121, S. 7.)
History: P.A. 19-121 effective July 1, 2019.