1. A. No child care facility may be operated or maintained in this state, unless licensed or temporarily authorized by the Department of Human Services; provided, that the Department shall not be required to be licensed, but shall be bound by the standards it prescribes. No new child care facility may be established without the prior approval of the Department, which shall be granted only after the Department is satisfied that such facility will meet minimum standards for a license to operate. The incorporation or domestication of a corporation organized for the purpose of operating a child care facility shall not exempt such corporation from compliance with the provisions of this act.
2. B. An application for a license shall be made on forms provided by the Department and in the manner prescribed. Temporary authorization may be granted to allow the Department to investigate the activities and standards of care of the applicant. If satisfied that the applicant meets the requirements as provided in this act, a license shall be issued. A provisional license may be issued to any applicant whose services are needed but which is temporarily unable to conform to all the rules and regulations of the Department, as provided in Section 404 of this title. All licenses shall be in force for two (2) years from the month of issuance unless revoked as authorized by Section 408 of this title, and may be reissued biennially on application, except that a provisional license may be in force for not more than one (1) year from the date of issuance, unless such emergency exists as, in the discretion of the Department, necessitates an extension thereof.

Laws 1953, SB 338, p. 19, § 5; Amended by Laws 1963, SB 168, c. 89, § 5, emerg. eff. May 23, 1963; Amended by Laws 1993, HB 1491, c. 122, § 5, emerg. eff. April 29, 1993; Amended by Laws 1999, SB 664, c. 130, § 1, emerg. eff. April 26, 1999 (superseded document available).