(a) On and after July 1, 2021, the commissioner shall require all individuals listed on an application for a cannabis establishment license, laboratory or research program license, or key employee license to submit to fingerprint-based state and national criminal history records checks before such license is issued. The criminal history records checks required pursuant to this subsection shall be conducted in accordance with § 29-17a. Upon renewal, the commissioner may require all individuals listed on an application for a cannabis establishment license, laboratory or research program license, or key employee license to be fingerprinted and submit to a state and national criminal history records check conducted in accordance with § 29-17a before such renewal license is issued.

(b) The department shall charge the applicant a fee equal to the amount charged to the department to conduct a state and national criminal history records check of the applicant.