(a) Each employee of a cannabis establishment, laboratory or research program, other than a key employee, shall annually apply for and obtain a registration, on a form and in a manner prescribed by the commissioner, prior to commencing employment at the cannabis establishment business.

(b) No person shall act as a backer or key employee, or represent that such person is a backer or key employee, unless such person has obtained a license from the department pursuant to this subsection. Such person shall apply for a license on a form and in a manner prescribed by the commissioner. Such form may require the applicant to: (1) Submit to a state and national criminal history records check conducted in accordance with § 29-17a, which may include a financial history check if requested by the commissioner, to determine the character and fitness of the applicant for the license, (2) provide information sufficient for the department to assess whether the applicant has an ownership interest in any other cannabis establishment, cannabis establishment applicant or cannabis-related business nationally or internationally, (3) provide demographic information, and (4) obtain such other information as the department determines is consistent with the requirements of RERACA or chapter 420f. A backer or key employee shall be denied a license in the event his or her background check reveals a disqualifying conviction.

(c) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, any person who receives a cannabis establishment license, backer or key employee license or employee registration issued pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall notify the department, in writing, of any changes to the information supplied on the application for such license or registration not later than five business days after such change.

(d) Any person who receives a cannabis establishment license or backer or key employee license shall notify the department, in a manner prescribed by the department, of any arrest or conviction of such person for an offense that would constitute a disqualifying conviction, as defined in § 21a-420, not later than forty-eight hours after such arrest or conviction.

(e) The department may adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to implement the provisions of this section, or may adopt policies and procedures as set forth in § 21a-421j, prior to adopting such final regulations.