LCO No. 724 1 of 108 General Assembly Governor's Bill No. 16 February Session, 2020 LCO No. 724 Referred to Committee on JUDICIARY Introduced by: SEN. LOONEY, 11 th Dist. SEN. DUFF, 25 th Dist. REP. ARESIMOWICZ, 30 th Dist. REP. RITTER M., 1 st Dist. AN ACT CONCERNING TH E ADULT USE OF CANNA BIS. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened: Section 1. (NEW) (Effective from passage) As used in this section, 1 sections 6 to 9, inclusive, of this act, sections 18 to 29, inclusive, of this 2 act, sections 31 to 39, inclusive, of this act and section 41 of this act, 3 unless the context otherwise requires: 4 (1) "Backer" means any person with a direct or indirect financial 5 interest in a cannabis establishment. "Backer" does not include a person 6 with an investment interest in a cannabis establishment, provided the 7 interest held by such person and such person's coworkers, employees, 8 spouse, parent or child, in the aggregate, does not exceed five per cent 9 of the total ownership or interest rights in such cannabis establishment 10 and such person does not participate directly or indirectly in the control, 11 management or operation of the cannabis establishment; 12 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 2 of 108 (2) "Cannabis" means marijuana, as defined in section 21a-240 of the 13 general statutes; 14 (3) "Cannabis establishment" means a producer, dispensary facility, 15 cannabis product manufacturing facility or cannabis retailer; 16 (4) "Cannabis product" means a cannabis concentrate or a product 17 that contains cannabis, which may be combined with other ingredients, 18 and is intended for use or consumption. Cannabis product does not 19 include the raw cannabis plant; 20 (5) "Cannabis concentrate" means any form of concentration, 21 including, but not limited to, extracts, oils, tinctures, shatter and waxes, 22 that is extracted from cannabis or a cannabis product that is further 23 processed to increase the concentration of THC; 24 (6) "Cannabis product manufacturing facility" means a person, 25 excluding a producer, that is licensed to purchase cannabis, 26 manufacture, prepare and package cannabis products and sell or 27 transfer cannabis and cannabis products to laboratories, research 28 programs and cannabis establishments; 29 (7) "Cannabis retailer" means a person, excluding a dispensary 30 facility, as defined in section 21a-408-1 of the regulations of state 31 agencies, that is licensed to purchase cannabis from producers as well 32 as to purchase cannabis and cannabis products from cannabis product 33 manufacturing facilities and to sell cannabis and cannabis products to 34 consumers and research programs; 35 (8) "Commission" means the Cannabis Equity Commission 36 established pursuant to section 18 of this act; 37 (9) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Consumer 38 Protection; 39 (10) "Consumer" means an individual who is twenty-one years of age 40 or older; 41 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 3 of 108 (11) "Cultivation" has the same meaning as provided in section 21a-42 408 of the general statutes; 43 (12) "Department" means the Department of Consumer Protection; 44 (13) "Dispensary facility" has the same meaning as "dispensary", as 45 provided in section 21a-408 of the general statutes; 46 (14) "Employee" means any person who is not a backer, but is a 47 member of the board of a company with an ownership interest in a 48 cannabis establishment, and any person employed by a cannabis 49 establishment or who otherwise has access to such establishment, 50 including, but not limited to, an independent contractor who has 51 routine access to the premises of such establishment; 52 (15) "Hemp" has the same meaning as provided in section 22-61l of 53 the general statutes; 54 (16) "Laboratory" means a facility located in Connecticut that is 55 licensed by the department to provide analysis of controlled substances 56 pursuant to sections 21a-246 and 21a-408r of the general statutes; 57 (17) "Laboratory employee" means an individual who is licensed as a 58 laboratory employee pursuant to section 21a-408r of the general 59 statutes; 60 (18) "Cannabis micro business" means a cannabis micro business 61 retailer or a cannabis micro business retail delivery licensee; 62 (19) "Municipality" means any town, city or borough, consolidated 63 town and city or consolidated town and borough; 64 (20) "Paraphernalia" means drug paraphernalia, as defined in section 65 21a-240 of the general statutes; 66 (21) "Person" means every individual, partnership, limited liability 67 company, society, association, joint stock company, corporation, estate, 68 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 4 of 108 receiver, trustee, assignee, referee and any other person acting in a 69 fiduciary or representative capacity, whether appointed by a court or 70 otherwise, and any combination thereof; 71 (22) "Producer" has the same meaning as provided in section 21a-408i 72 of the general statutes and any regulations promulgated thereunder; 73 (23) "Research program" has the same meaning as provided in section 74 21a-408 of the general statutes; 75 (24) "Sale" or "sell" has the same meaning as provided in section 21a-76 240 of the general statutes; and 77 (25) "THC" means delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. 78 Sec. 2. Subsection (a) of section 21a-279 of the general statutes is 79 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 80 2020): 81 (a) (1) Any person who possesses or has under such person's control 82 any quantity of any controlled substance, except [less than one-half 83 ounce] of a cannabis-type substance and except as authorized in this 84 chapter, shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor. 85 (2) For a second offense of subdivision (1) of this subsection, the court 86 shall evaluate such person and, if the court determines such person is a 87 drug-dependent person, the court may suspend prosecution of such 88 person and order such person to undergo a substance abuse treatment 89 program. 90 (3) For any subsequent offense of subdivision (1) of this subsection, 91 the court may find such person to be a persistent offender for possession 92 of a controlled substance in accordance with section 53a-40. 93 Sec. 3. Section 21a-279a of the general statutes is repealed and the 94 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2020): 95 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 5 of 108 (a) A consumer twenty-one years of age or older may possess, use 96 and otherwise consume cannabis and cannabis products, provided the 97 amount of all such cannabis, including the amount contained in any 98 cannabis product, does not exceed such consumer's possession limit of 99 one and one-half ounces of cannabis, of which no more than five grams 100 may be in the form of a cannabis concentrate. 101 [(a)] (b) Any person under twenty-one years of age who possesses or 102 has under [his] such person's control less than [one-half ounce] two 103 ounces of a cannabis-type substance, [as defined in section 21a-240,] 104 except as authorized in this chapter or chapter 420f, shall (1) for a first 105 offense, be fined one hundred fifty dollars, and (2) for a subsequent 106 offense, be fined not less than two hundred dollars or more than five 107 hundred dollars. 108 (c) Any person twenty-one years of age or older who possesses or has 109 under such person's control more than the possession limit pursuant to 110 subsection (a) of this section, but less than two ounces of a cannabis-type 111 substance, except as authorized in this chapter or chapter 420f, shall (1) 112 for a first offense, be fined one hundred fifty dollars, and (2) for a 113 subsequent offense, be fined not less than two hundred dollars or more 114 than five hundred dollars. 115 (d) (1) Any person who possesses or has under such person's control 116 two ounces or more of a cannabis-type substance, except as authorized 117 in this chapter, chapter 420f or sections 18 to 29, inclusive, of this act, 118 sections 31 to 33, inclusive, of this act or section 21a-408t of the general 119 statutes, as amended by this act, shall be guilty of a class B 120 misdemeanor. 121 (2) For an offense under subdivision (1) of this subsection, the court 122 shall evaluate such person and, if the court determines such person is a 123 drug-dependent person, the court may suspend prosecution of such 124 person and order such person to undergo a substance abuse treatment 125 program. 126 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 6 of 108 [(b)] (e) The law enforcement officer issuing a complaint for a 127 violation of subsection [(a)] (b), (c) or (d) of this section shall seize the 128 cannabis-type substance and cause such substance to be destroyed as 129 contraband in accordance with law. 130 [(c)] (f) Any person who, at separate times, has twice entered a plea 131 of nolo contendere to, or been found guilty after trial of, a violation of 132 subsection [(a)] (b), (c) or (d) of this section shall, upon a subsequent plea 133 of nolo contendere to, or finding of guilty of, a violation of said 134 subsection, be referred for participation in a drug education program at 135 such person's own expense. 136 (g) As used in this section, "cannabis" and "cannabis products" have 137 the same meaning as provided in section 1 of this act. 138 Sec. 4. Section 54-142d of the general statutes is repealed and the 139 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2020): 140 (a) Whenever any person has been convicted of an offense in any 141 court in this state and such offense has been decriminalized subsequent 142 to the date of such conviction, such person may file a petition with the 143 [superior court] Superior Court at the location in which such conviction 144 was effected, or with the [superior court] Superior Court at the location 145 having custody of the records of such conviction or [with the records 146 center of the Judicial Department] if such conviction was in the Court of 147 Common Pleas, Circuit Court, municipal court or by a trial justice in the 148 Superior Court where venue would exist for criminal prosecution, for 149 an order of erasure, and the Superior Court [or records center of the 150 Judicial Department] shall direct all police and court records and 151 records of the state's or prosecuting attorney pertaining to such [case] 152 offense to be physically destroyed. 153 (b) Any person who has been convicted on October 1, 2015, or 154 thereafter, in any court in this state of a violation of section 21a-279, as 155 amended by this act, for possession of a cannabis-type substance and 156 the amount possessed was less than or equal to four ounces of such 157 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 7 of 108 substance, may file a petition with the Superior Court at the location in 158 which such conviction was effected, or with the Superior Court at the 159 location having custody of the records of such conviction or if such 160 conviction was in the Court of Common Pleas, Circuit Court, municipal 161 court or by a trial justice, in the Superior Court where venue would 162 currently exist for criminal prosecution, for an order of erasure. As part 163 of such petition, such person shall include a copy of the arrest record or 164 an affidavit supporting such person's petition that such person 165 possessed four ounces or less of a cannabis-type substance for which 166 such person was convicted. If such petition is in order, the Superior 167 Court shall direct all police and court records and records of the state's 168 or prosecuting attorney pertaining to such offense for an order of 169 erasure. No fee may be charged in any court with respect to any petition 170 under this subsection. 171 (c) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any police or court 172 records or records of the state's or prosecuting attorney pertaining to 173 such offense (1) while the criminal case is pending, or (2) in instances 174 where the case contains more than one count, until all counts are entitled 175 to destruction. If all counts are not entitled to destruction, the court shall 176 direct the records of any offenses that would otherwise be entitled to 177 destruction pursuant to this section to be deemed erased pursuant to 178 section 54-142a, as amended by this act. 179 Sec. 5. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2021) (a) Whenever prior to October 1, 180 2015, any person has been convicted in any court of this state of 181 possession of less than four ounces of a cannabis-type substance under 182 subsection (c) of section 21a-279 of the general statutes, all police and 183 court records and records of the state's or prosecuting attorney or the 184 prosecuting grand juror pertaining to such a conviction in any court of 185 this state shall be erased by operation of law consistent with the 186 provisions of section 54-142d of the general statutes, as amended by this 187 act. 188 (b) Nothing in this section shall limit any other procedure for erasure 189 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 8 of 108 of criminal history record information, as defined in section 54-142g of 190 the general statutes, or prohibit a person from participating in any such 191 procedure, even if such person's electronic criminal history record 192 information has been erased pursuant to this section. 193 Sec. 6. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2022) Notwithstanding any provision 194 of the general statutes, no cannabis retailer or consumer may be subject 195 to arrest or prosecution, penalized in any manner, including, but not 196 limited to, being subject to any civil penalty, or denied any right or 197 privilege, including, but not limited to, being subject to any disciplinary 198 action by a professional licensing board, for the acquisition, distribution, 199 possession, use or transportation of cannabis or paraphernalia related to 200 cannabis in accordance with the provisions of section 21a-243 of the 201 general statutes, as amended by this act, section 21a-279a of the general 202 statutes, as amended by this act, section 21a-408t of the general statutes, 203 as amended by this act, sections 18 to 29, inclusive, of this act, sections 204 31 to 35, inclusive, of this act or section 41 of this act. 205 Sec. 7. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2020) Any paraphernalia relating to 206 cannabis or other property seized by law enforcement officials from a 207 consumer or cannabis establishment in connection with the claimed 208 possession or use of cannabis under subsection (a) of section 21a-279a of 209 the general statutes, as amended by this act, shall be returned to the 210 consumer or cannabis establishment immediately upon the 211 determination by a court that the consumer or cannabis establishment 212 is in compliance with the provisions of subsection (a) of section 21a-279a 213 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, as evidenced by a 214 decision not to prosecute, a dismissal of charges or an acquittal. The 215 provisions of this section do not apply to any person who fails to comply 216 with the provisions of subsection (a) of section 21a-279a of the general 217 statutes, as amended by this act. 218 Sec. 8. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2022) (a) Except as provided in chapter 219 420b or 420f of the general statutes or subsection (b) of this section, no 220 person, other than a cannabis retailer, as provided in sections 18 to 29, 221 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 9 of 108 inclusive, of this act, sections 31 to 33, inclusive, of this act or section 222 21a-408t of the general statutes, as amended by this act, may deliver, sell 223 or offer cannabis or cannabis products to a consumer. 224 (b) Any consumer who purchases cannabis or cannabis products 225 from a cannabis retailer may give cannabis or cannabis products to 226 another consumer, provided such other consumer may possess such 227 cannabis or cannabis products without exceeding the possession limit 228 pursuant to subsection (a) of section 21a-279a of the general statutes, as 229 amended by this act. 230 Sec. 9. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2020) Notwithstanding any provision 231 of chapter 420b of the general statutes, a consumer may manufacture, 232 possess or purchase paraphernalia related to cannabis or distribute or 233 sell paraphernalia related to cannabis to another consumer. 234 Sec. 10. Subsections (b) to (e), inclusive, of section 14-227a of the 235 general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 236 thereof (Effective April 1, 2022): 237 (b) (1) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, in any 238 criminal prosecution for violation of subsection (a) of this section, 239 evidence respecting the amount of alcohol or drug in the defendant's 240 blood or urine at the time of the alleged offense, as shown by a chemical 241 [analysis] test of the defendant's breath, blood or urine, shall be 242 admissible and competent provided: [(1)] (A) The defendant was 243 afforded a reasonable opportunity to telephone an attorney prior to the 244 performance of the test and consented to the taking of the test upon 245 which such analysis is made; [(2)] (B) a true copy of the report of the test 246 result was mailed to or personally delivered to the defendant within 247 twenty-four hours or by the end of the next regular business day, after 248 such result was known, whichever is later; [(3)] (C) the test was 249 performed by or at the direction of a police officer according to methods 250 and with equipment approved by the Department of Emergency 251 Services and Public Protection and was performed in accordance with 252 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 10 of 108 the regulations adopted under subsection (d) of this section; [(4)] (D) the 253 device used for such test was checked for accuracy in accordance with 254 the regulations adopted under subsection (d) of this section; [(5)] (E) an 255 additional chemical test of the same type was performed at least ten 256 minutes after the initial test was performed or, if requested by the police 257 officer for reasonable cause, an additional chemical test of a different 258 type was performed, including a test to detect the presence of a drug or 259 drugs other than or in addition to alcohol, provided the results of the 260 initial test shall not be inadmissible under this subsection if reasonable 261 efforts were made to have such additional test performed in accordance 262 with the conditions set forth in this subsection and (i) such additional 263 test was not performed or was not performed within a reasonable time, 264 or (ii) the results of such additional test are not admissible for failure to 265 meet a condition set forth in this subsection; and [(6)] (F) evidence is 266 presented that the test was commenced within two hours of operation. 267 In any prosecution under this section it shall be a rebuttable 268 presumption that the results of such chemical analysis establish the ratio 269 of alcohol in the blood of the defendant at the time of the alleged offense, 270 except that if the results of the additional test indicate that the ratio of 271 alcohol in the blood of such defendant is ten-hundredths of one per cent 272 or less of alcohol, by weight, and is higher than the results of the first 273 test, evidence shall be presented that demonstrates that the test results 274 and the analysis thereof accurately indicate the blood alcohol content at 275 the time of the alleged offense. 276 (2) If a law enforcement officer who is a drug recognition expert 277 conducts a drug influence evaluation, the officer's testimony concerning 278 such evaluation shall be admissible and competent as evidence of 279 operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of liquor or any 280 drug or both under subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section. 281 (c) In any prosecution for a violation of subdivision (1) of subsection 282 (a) of this section, reliable evidence respecting the amount of alcohol in 283 the defendant's blood or urine at the time of the alleged offense, as 284 shown by a chemical analysis of the defendant's blood, breath or urine, 285 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 11 of 108 otherwise admissible under subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this 286 section, shall be admissible only at the request of the defendant. 287 (d) The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection 288 shall ascertain the reliability of each method and type of device offered 289 for chemical testing [and analysis purposes] of blood, of breath and of 290 urine and certify those methods and types which [said] the 291 commissioner finds suitable for use in testing [and analysis] of blood, 292 breath and urine, respectively, in this state. The Commissioner of 293 Emergency Services and Public Protection shall adopt regulations, in 294 accordance with chapter 54, governing the conduct of chemical tests, the 295 operation and use of chemical test devices, the training and certification 296 of operators of such devices and the drawing or obtaining of blood, 297 breath or urine samples as [said] the commissioner finds necessary to 298 protect the health and safety of persons who submit to chemical tests 299 and to insure reasonable accuracy in testing results. Such regulations 300 shall not require recertification of a police officer solely because such 301 officer terminates such officer's employment with the law enforcement 302 agency for which certification was originally issued and commences 303 employment with another such agency. 304 (e) (1) In any criminal prosecution for a violation of subsection (a) of 305 this section, evidence that the defendant refused to submit to a blood, 306 breath or urine test or the nontestimonial portion of a drug influence 307 evaluation requested in accordance with section 14-227b, as amended 308 by this act, shall be admissible provided the requirements of subsection 309 (b) of said section have been satisfied. If a case involving a violation of 310 subsection (a) of this section is tried to a jury, the court shall instruct the 311 jury as to any inference that may or may not be drawn from the 312 defendant's refusal to submit to [a blood, breath or urine test] such a test 313 or evaluation. 314 (2) A drug recognition expert may testify as to his or her opinion or 315 otherwise as to the significance of any symptoms of impairment or 316 intoxication for which evidence has been admitted or on the condition 317 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 12 of 108 that such evidence be introduced. 318 (3) In any prosecution for a violation of subdivision (1) of subsection 319 (a) of this section in which it is alleged that the defendant's operation of 320 a motor vehicle was impaired, in whole or in part, by consumption of 321 cannabis, cannabis products or THC, as those terms are defined in 322 section 1 of this act, the court may take judicial notice that the ingestion 323 of THC (A) can impair a person's ability to operate a motor vehicle; (B) 324 can impair a person's motor function, reaction time, tracking ability, 325 cognitive attention, decision-making, judgment, perception, peripheral 326 vision, impulse control and memory; and (C) does not enhance a 327 person's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. 328 Sec. 11. Section 14-227b of the general statutes is repealed and the 329 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective April 1, 2022): 330 (a) Any person who operates a motor vehicle in this state shall be 331 deemed to have given such person's consent to: [a] (1) A chemical 332 [analysis] test of such person's blood, breath or urine; [and, if] and (2) a 333 nontestimonial portion of a drug influence evaluation conducted by a 334 drug recognition expert. If such person is a minor, such person's parent 335 or parents or guardian shall also be deemed to have given their consent 336 for such test or evaluation. 337 [(b) If any such person, having been placed under arrest for a 338 violation of section 14-227a or 14-227m or subdivision (1) or (2) of 339 subsection (a) of section 14-227n, and thereafter, after being apprised of 340 such person's constitutional rights, having been requested to submit to 341 a blood, breath or urine test at the option of the police officer, having 342 been afforded a reasonable opportunity to telephone an attorney prior 343 to the performance of such test and having been informed that such 344 person's license or nonresident operating privilege may be suspended 345 in accordance with the provisions of this section if such person refuses 346 to submit to such test, or if such person submits to such test and the 347 results of such test indicate that such person has an elevated blood 348 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 13 of 108 alcohol content, and that evidence of any such refusal shall be 349 admissible in accordance with subsection (e) of section 14-227a and may 350 be used against such person in any criminal prosecution, refuses to 351 submit to the designated test, the test shall not be given; provided, if the 352 person refuses or is unable to submit to a blood test, the police officer 353 shall designate the breath or urine test as the test to be taken. The police 354 officer shall make a notation upon the records of the police department 355 that such officer informed the person that such person's license or 356 nonresident operating privilege may be suspended if such person 357 refused to submit to such test or if such person submitted to such test 358 and the results of such test indicated that such person had an elevated 359 blood alcohol content.] 360 (b) (1) A police officer who has placed a person under arrest for a 361 violation of section 14-227a, as amended by this act, 14-227m or 362 subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n may request 363 that such person submit to a blood, breath or urine test at the option of 364 the police officer, a drug influence evaluation conducted by a drug 365 recognition expert or both after such person has been (A) apprised of 366 such person's constitutional rights; (B) afforded a reasonable 367 opportunity to telephone an attorney prior to the performance of such 368 test or evaluation; (C) informed that evidence of any refusal to submit 369 to such test or evaluation shall be admissible in accordance with 370 subsection (e) of section 14-227a, as amended by this act, and may be 371 used against such person in any criminal prosecution, except that 372 refusal to submit to the testimonial portions of a drug influence 373 evaluation shall not be considered evidence of refusal of such evaluation 374 for purposes of any criminal prosecution; and (D) informed that such 375 person's license or operating privilege may be suspended in accordance 376 with the provisions of this section if (i) such person refuses to submit to 377 such test or the nontestimonial portion of a drug influence evaluation, 378 (ii) such person submits to such test and the results of such test indicate 379 that such person has an elevated blood alcohol content or elevated blood 380 THC content, or (iii) the officer believes there is substantial evidence to 381 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 14 of 108 conclude that such person was operating a motor vehicle under the 382 influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug or both. 383 (2) If the person refuses to submit to any test or drug influence 384 evaluation, the test or evaluation shall not be given, except if the person 385 refuses or is unable to submit to a blood test, the police officer shall 386 designate another test to be taken. If a person submits to a breath test 387 and the results indicate that the person does not have an elevated blood 388 alcohol content, the police officer may request that the person submit to 389 a different type of test, except that if the person refuses or is unable to 390 submit to a blood test, the officer shall designate a urine test to be taken. 391 The police officer shall make a notation upon the records of the police 392 department that such officer informed the person that such person's 393 license or operating privilege may be suspended if (A) such person 394 refused to submit to such test or nontestimonial portion of a drug 395 influence evaluation; (B) such person submitted to such test and the 396 results of such test indicated that such person had an elevated blood 397 alcohol content or elevated blood THC content; or (C) the officer 398 believes there is substantial evidence to conclude that such person was 399 operating a motor vehicle under the influence of intoxicating liquor or 400 any drug or both. 401 (c) If the person arrested refuses to submit to such test or [analysis] 402 nontestimonial portion of a drug influence evaluation or submits to such 403 test, [or analysis,] commenced within two hours of the time of operation, 404 and the results of such test [or analysis] indicate that such person has an 405 elevated blood alcohol content or elevated blood THC content, the 406 police officer, acting on behalf of the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, 407 shall immediately revoke and take possession of the motor vehicle 408 operator's license or, if such person is not licensed or is a nonresident, 409 suspend the [nonresident] operating privilege of such person, for a 410 twenty-four-hour period. The police officer shall prepare a report of the 411 incident and shall mail or otherwise transmit in accordance with this 412 subsection the report and a copy of the results of any chemical test [or 413 analysis] to the Department of Motor Vehicles within three business 414 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 15 of 108 days, except that failure of an officer to mail or transmit such report 415 within three business days shall not impact a decision to suspend such 416 person's license or operating privilege and shall not render such report 417 inadmissible at a proceeding under this section. The report shall contain 418 such information as prescribed by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles 419 and shall be subscribed and sworn to under penalty of false statement 420 as provided in section 53a-157b by the arresting officer. If the person 421 arrested refused to submit to such test or [analysis] evaluation, the 422 report shall be endorsed by a third person who witnessed such refusal. 423 The report shall set forth the grounds for the officer's belief that there 424 was probable cause to arrest such person for a violation of section 14-425 227a, as amended by this act, or 14-227m or subdivision (1) or (2) of 426 subsection (a) of section 14-227n and shall state that such person had 427 refused to submit to such test or [analysis] evaluation when requested 428 by such police officer to do so or that such person submitted to such test 429 or, [analysis,] commenced within two hours of the time of operation, 430 and the results of such test or analysis indicated that such person had 431 an elevated blood alcohol content or elevated blood THC content. The 432 Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may accept a police report under this 433 subsection that is prepared and transmitted as an electronic record, 434 including electronic signature or signatures, subject to such security 435 procedures as the commissioner may specify and in accordance with the 436 provisions of sections 1-266 to 1-286, inclusive. In any hearing 437 conducted pursuant to the provisions of subsection (g) of this section, it 438 shall not be a ground for objection to the admissibility of a police report 439 that it is an electronic record prepared by electronic means. 440 [(d) If the person arrested submits to a blood or urine test at the 441 request of the police officer, and the specimen requires laboratory 442 analysis in order to obtain the test results, the police officer shall not take 443 possession of the motor vehicle operator's license of such person or, 444 except as provided in this subsection, follow the procedures subsequent 445 to taking possession of the operator's license as set forth in subsection 446 (c) of this section. If the test results indicate that such person has an 447 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 16 of 108 elevated blood alcohol content, the police officer, immediately upon 448 receipt of the test results, shall notify the Commissioner of Motor 449 Vehicles and submit to the commissioner the written report required 450 pursuant to subsection (c) of this section.] 451 (d) If a police officer who has placed a person under arrest for a 452 violation of section 14-227a, as amended by this act, 14-227m or 453 subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n does not 454 request that such person submit to a blood, breath or urine test under 455 subsection (b) of this section, or obtains results from a test administered 456 under subsection (b) of this section that indicate that the person does not 457 have an elevated blood alcohol content or elevated blood THC content, 458 such officer shall: 459 (1) Advise such person that such person's license or operating 460 privilege may be suspended in accordance with the provisions of this 461 section if such police officer believes there is substantial evidence to 462 conclude that such person was operating a motor vehicle under the 463 influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug or both; and 464 (2) Submit a report to the commissioner in accordance with the 465 procedure set forth in subsection (c) of this section and, if such report 466 contains the results of a blood, breath or urine test that does not show 467 an elevated blood alcohol content or elevated blood THC content, such 468 report shall conform to the requirements in subsection (c) of this section 469 for reports that contain results showing an elevated blood alcohol 470 content or elevated blood THC content. In any report submitted under 471 this subdivision, the officer shall document (A) the basis for the officer's 472 belief that there was probable cause to arrest such person for a violation 473 of section 14-227a, as amended by this act, or 14-227m or subdivision (1) 474 or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n, and (B) whether the officer 475 believes that there is substantial evidence to conclude that the person 476 was operating a motor vehicle under the influence of intoxicating liquor 477 or any drug or both. With such report, the officer may submit other 478 supporting documentation indicating the person's intoxication by 479 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 17 of 108 liquor or any drug or both. If the officer believes there is substantial 480 evidence to conclude that the person was operating a motor vehicle 481 under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug or both, the officer 482 shall immediately revoke and take possession of the motor vehicle 483 operator's license or, if such person is not licensed or is a nonresident, 484 suspend the operating privilege of such person, for a twenty-four-hour 485 period. 486 (e) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, upon 487 receipt of [such] a report submitted under subsection (c) or (d) of this 488 section, the [Commissioner of Motor Vehicles] commissioner may 489 suspend any operator's license or [nonresident] operating privilege of 490 such person effective as of a date certain, which date certain shall be not 491 later than thirty days [after] from the later of the date such person 492 received (A) notice of such person's arrest by the police officer, or (B) the 493 results of a blood or urine test or a drug influence evaluation. Any 494 person whose operator's license or [nonresident] operating privilege has 495 been suspended in accordance with this subdivision shall automatically 496 be entitled to a hearing before the commissioner to be held in accordance 497 with the provisions of chapter 54 and prior to the effective date of the 498 suspension. The commissioner shall send a suspension notice to such 499 person informing such person that such person's operator's license or 500 [nonresident] operating privilege is suspended as of a date certain and 501 that such person is entitled to a hearing prior to the effective date of the 502 suspension and may schedule such hearing by contacting the 503 Department of Motor Vehicles not later than seven days after the date 504 of mailing of such suspension notice. 505 (2) [If the person arrested (A) is] Upon receipt of a report that (A) the 506 person's arrest involved [in] an accident resulting in a fatality, or (B) the 507 person has previously had such person's operator's license or 508 [nonresident] operating privilege suspended under the provisions of 509 section 14-227a, as amended by this act, 14-227m or 14-227n, as amended 510 by this act, during the ten-year period preceding the present arrest, 511 [upon receipt of such report, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles] the 512 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 18 of 108 commissioner may suspend any operator's license or [nonresident] 513 operating privilege of such person effective as of the date specified in a 514 notice of such suspension to such person. [Any] A person whose 515 operator's license or [nonresident] operating privilege has been 516 suspended in accordance with this subdivision shall automatically be 517 entitled to a hearing before the commissioner, to be held in accordance 518 with the provisions of chapter 54. The commissioner shall send a 519 suspension notice to such person informing such person that such 520 person's operator's license or [nonresident] operating privilege is 521 suspended as of the date specified in such suspension notice, and that 522 such person is entitled to a hearing and may schedule such hearing by 523 contacting the Department of Motor Vehicles not later than seven days 524 after the date of mailing of such suspension notice. Any suspension 525 issued under this subdivision shall remain in effect until such 526 suspension is affirmed under subsection (f) of this section or such 527 operator's license or [nonresident] operating privilege is reinstated in 528 accordance with [subsections (f) and] subsection (h) of this section. 529 (f) If such person does not contact the department to schedule a 530 hearing, the commissioner shall affirm the suspension contained in the 531 suspension notice for the appropriate period specified in subsection (i) 532 of this section. 533 (g) (1) If such person contacts the department to schedule a hearing, 534 the department shall assign a date, time and place for the hearing, which 535 date shall be prior to the effective date of the suspension, except that, 536 with respect to a person whose operator's license or [nonresident] 537 operating privilege is suspended in accordance with subdivision (2) of 538 subsection (e) of this section, such hearing shall be scheduled not later 539 than thirty days after such person contacts the department. At the 540 request of such person, the hearing officer or the department and upon 541 a showing of good cause, the commissioner may grant one or more 542 continuances. [The hearing] 543 (2) A hearing based on a report submitted under subsection (c) of this 544 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 19 of 108 section shall be limited to a determination of the following issues: [(1)] 545 (A) Did the police officer have probable cause to arrest the person for 546 operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating 547 liquor or any drug or both; [(2)] (B) was such person placed under arrest; 548 [(3)] (C) did such person (i) refuse to submit to such test or [analysis or 549 did such person] nontestimonial portion of a drug influence evaluation, 550 or (ii) submit to such test, [or analysis,] commenced within two hours of 551 the time of operation, and the results of such test [or analysis] indicated 552 that such person had an elevated blood alcohol content or elevated 553 blood THC content; and [(4)] (D) was such person operating the motor 554 vehicle. 555 (3) A hearing based on a report submitted under subsection (d) of this 556 section shall be limited to a determination of the following issues: (A) 557 Did the police officer have probable cause to arrest the person for 558 operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating 559 liquor or any drug or both; (B) was the person placed under arrest; (C) 560 is there substantial evidence to conclude that the person was operating 561 a motor vehicle under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug 562 or both; and (D) was the person operating the motor vehicle. 563 (4) In [the] a hearing under this subsection, the results of the test, [or 564 analysis] if administered, shall be sufficient to indicate the ratio of 565 alcohol in the blood of such person at the time of operation, provided 566 such test was commenced within two hours of the time of operation. 567 The fees of any witness summoned to appear at [the] a hearing under 568 this subsection shall be the same as provided by the general statutes for 569 witnesses in criminal cases. Notwithstanding the provisions of 570 subsection (a) of section 52-143, any subpoena summoning a police 571 officer as a witness shall be served not less than seventy-two hours prior 572 to the designated time of the hearing. 573 (5) In a hearing based on a report submitted under subsection (d) of 574 this section, evidence of operation under the influence of intoxicating 575 liquor or any drug or both shall be admissible. Such evidence may 576 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 20 of 108 include, but need not be limited to, (A) the police officer's observations 577 of intoxication, as documented in a report submitted to the 578 commissioner under subsection (d) of this section; (B) the results of any 579 chemical test administered under this section or a toxicology report 580 certified by the Division of Scientific Services; (C) hospital or medical 581 records obtained in accordance with subsection (j) of this section or by 582 the consent of the operator; (D) the results of any tests conducted by, or 583 the report of, an officer trained in advanced roadside impaired driving 584 enforcement; or (E) reports of drug recognition experts. 585 (h) If, after [such] a hearing under subdivision (2) of subsection (g) of 586 this section, the commissioner finds in the negative on any one of the 587 [said] issues [in the negative] in subparagraph (A), (B), (C) or (D) of said 588 subdivision, the commissioner shall reinstate such license or operating 589 privilege. If, after a hearing under subdivision (3) of subsection (g) of 590 this section, the commissioner finds in the negative on any one of the 591 issues in subparagraph (A), (B), (C) or (D) of said subdivision, the 592 commissioner shall reinstate such license or operating privilege. If, after 593 such hearing under subdivision (2) or (3) of subsection (g) of this section, 594 the commissioner does not find on any one of [the] said issues in the 595 negative or if such person fails to appear at such hearing, the 596 commissioner shall affirm the suspension contained in the suspension 597 notice for the appropriate period specified in subsection (i) of this 598 section. The commissioner shall render a decision at the conclusion of 599 such hearing and send a notice of the decision by bulk certified mail to 600 such person. The notice of such decision sent by bulk certified mail to 601 the address of such person as shown by the records of the commissioner 602 shall be sufficient notice to such person that such person's operator's 603 license or [nonresident] operating privilege is reinstated or suspended, 604 as the case may be. 605 (i) (1) The commissioner shall suspend the operator's license or 606 [nonresident] operating privilege of a person who did not contact the 607 department to schedule a hearing, who failed to appear at a hearing, or 608 against whom a decision was issued, after a hearing, pursuant to 609 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 21 of 108 subsection (h) of this section, as of the effective date contained in the 610 suspension notice, for a period of forty-five days. As a condition for the 611 restoration of such operator's license or [nonresident] operating 612 privilege, such person shall be required to install an ignition interlock 613 device on each motor vehicle owned or operated by such person and, 614 upon such restoration, be prohibited from operating a motor vehicle 615 unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved 616 ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j, for the longer of 617 either (A) the period prescribed in subdivision (2) of this subsection for 618 the present arrest and suspension, or (B) the period prescribed in 619 subdivision (1), (2) or (3) of subsection (g) of section 14-227a or 620 subdivision (1), (2) or (3) of subsection (c) of section 14-227m or 621 subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (c) of section 14-227n for the present 622 arrest and conviction, if any. 623 (2) (A) A person twenty-one years of age or older at the time of the 624 arrest who submitted to a test [or analysis] and the results of such test 625 [or analysis] indicated that such person had an elevated blood alcohol 626 content, or was found to have been operating a motor vehicle under the 627 influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug or both based on a report 628 filed pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, shall install and maintain 629 an ignition interlock device for the following periods: (i) For a first 630 suspension under this section, six months; (ii) for a second suspension 631 under this section, one year; and (iii) for a third or subsequent 632 suspension under this section, two years; (B) a person under twenty-one 633 years of age at the time of the arrest who submitted to a test [or analysis] 634 and the results of such test [or analysis] indicated that such person had 635 an elevated blood alcohol content or elevated blood THC content, or 636 was found to have been operating a motor vehicle under the influence 637 of intoxicating liquor or any drug or both based on a report filed 638 pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, shall install and maintain an 639 ignition interlock device for the following periods: (i) For a first 640 suspension under this section, one year; (ii) for a second suspension 641 under this section, two years; and (iii) for a third or subsequent 642 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 22 of 108 suspension under this section, three years; and (C) a person, regardless 643 of age, who refused to submit to a test or [analysis] nontestimonial 644 portion of a drug influence evaluation shall install and maintain an 645 ignition interlock device for the following periods: (i) For a first 646 suspension under this section, one year; (ii) for a second suspension 647 under this section, two years; and (iii) for a third or subsequent 648 suspension, under this section, three years. 649 (3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions (1) and (2) of this 650 subsection, a person whose motor vehicle operator's license or 651 [nonresident] operating privilege has been permanently revoked upon 652 a third offense pursuant to subsection (g) of section 14-227a, as amended 653 by this act, or subsection (c) of section 14-227m shall be subject to the 654 penalties prescribed in subdivision (2) of subsection (i) of section 14-111. 655 (j) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (b) to (i), inclusive, 656 of this section, any police officer who obtains the results of a chemical 657 analysis of a blood sample taken from or a urine sample provided by an 658 operator of a motor vehicle who was involved in an accident and 659 suffered or allegedly suffered physical injury in such accident, or who 660 was otherwise deemed by a police officer to require treatment or 661 observation at a hospital, shall notify the [Commissioner of Motor 662 Vehicles] commissioner and submit to the commissioner a written 663 report if such results indicate that such person had an elevated blood 664 alcohol content or elevated blood THC content, or any quantity of an 665 intoxicating liquor or any drug or both in such person's blood, and if 666 such person was arrested for violation of section 14-227a, as amended 667 by this act, or 14-227m or subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of 668 section 14-227n. The report shall be made on a form approved by the 669 commissioner containing such information as the commissioner 670 prescribes, and shall be subscribed and sworn to under penalty of false 671 statement, as provided in section 53a-157b, by the police officer. The 672 commissioner may, after notice and an opportunity for hearing, which 673 shall be conducted by a hearing officer on behalf of the commissioner in 674 accordance with chapter 54, suspend the motor vehicle operator's 675 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 23 of 108 license or [nonresident] operating privilege of such person for the 676 appropriate period of time specified in subsection (i) of this section and 677 require such person to install and maintain an ignition interlock device 678 for the appropriate period of time prescribed in subsection (i) of this 679 section. Each hearing conducted under this subsection shall be limited 680 to a determination of the following issues: (1) Whether the police officer 681 had probable cause to arrest the person for operating a motor vehicle 682 while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drug or both; (2) 683 whether such person was placed under arrest; (3) whether such person 684 was operating the motor vehicle; (4) whether the results of the analysis 685 of the blood or urine of such person indicate that such person had an 686 elevated blood alcohol content or elevated blood THC content, or there 687 is substantial evidence to conclude that the person was operating a 688 motor vehicle under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug or 689 both; and (5) in the event that a blood sample was taken, whether the 690 blood sample was obtained in accordance with conditions for 691 admissibility and competence as evidence as set forth in subsection (k) 692 of section 14-227a. If, after such hearing, the commissioner finds on any 693 one of the said issues in the negative, the commissioner shall not impose 694 a suspension. The fees of any witness summoned to appear at the 695 hearing shall be the same as provided by the general statutes for 696 witnesses in criminal cases, as provided in section 52-260. 697 (k) The provisions of this section shall apply with the same effect to 698 the refusal by any person to submit to an additional chemical test as 699 provided in subparagraph (E) of subdivision [(5)] (1) of subsection (b) 700 of section 14-227a, as amended by this act. 701 (l) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any person whose 702 physical condition is such that, according to competent medical advice, 703 such test would be inadvisable. 704 (m) The state shall pay the reasonable charges of any physician who, 705 at the request of a municipal police department, takes a blood sample 706 for purposes of a test under the provisions of this section. 707 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 24 of 108 (n) For the purposes of this section, "elevated blood alcohol content" 708 means (1) (A) a ratio of alcohol in the blood of such person that is eight-709 hundredths of one per cent or more of alcohol, by weight, or (B) a ratio 710 of alcohol in the blood of such person that is between five-hundredths 711 and eight-hundredths of one per cent of alcohol, by weight, if such 712 person also tests positive for any quantity of a drug, (2) if such person is 713 operating a commercial motor vehicle, a ratio of alcohol in the blood of 714 such person that is four-hundredths of one per cent or more of alcohol, 715 by weight, or (3) if such person is less than twenty-one years of age, a 716 ratio of alcohol in the blood of such person that is two-hundredths of 717 one per cent or more of alcohol, by weight; and "elevated blood THC 718 content" means, if such person is less than twenty-one years of age, one-719 half nanogram or more of THC, as defined in section 1 of this act, in the 720 blood of such person, unless such person provides evidence that such 721 person is a qualifying patient with a valid registration certificate from 722 the Department of Consumer Protection pursuant to chapter 420f. 723 (o) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall adopt regulations, in 724 accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section. 725 (p) For purposes of this section and section 14-227a, as amended by 726 this act, (1) "advanced roadside impaired driving enforcement" means a 727 program developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety 728 Administration with the International Association of Chiefs of Police 729 and the Technical Advisory Panel, which focuses on impaired driving; 730 (2) "drug influence evaluation" means a twelve-part evaluation 731 developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and 732 the International Association of Chiefs of Police that is conducted by a 733 drug recognition expert to determine the level of a person's impairment 734 from the use of drugs and the type of drug or drugs causing such 735 impairment; (3) "drug recognition expert" means a person certified by 736 the International Association of Chiefs of Police as having met all 737 requirements of the International Drug Evaluation and Classification 738 Program; and (4) "nontestimonial portion of a drug influence 739 evaluation" means a drug influence evaluation conducted by a drug 740 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 25 of 108 recognition expert that does not include a verbal interview with the 741 subject. 742 Sec. 12. Section 14-227c of the general statutes is repealed and the 743 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective April 1, 2022): 744 (a) As part of the investigation of any motor vehicle accident resulting 745 in the death of a person, the Chief Medical Examiner, Deputy Chief 746 Medical Examiner, an associate medical examiner, a pathologist as 747 specified in section 19a-405, or an authorized assistant medical 748 examiner, as the case may be, shall order that a blood sample be taken 749 from the body of any operator or pedestrian who dies as a result of such 750 accident. Such blood samples shall be examined for the presence and 751 concentration of alcohol and any drug by the Division of Scientific 752 Services within the Department of Emergency Services and Public 753 Protection or by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Nothing in 754 this subsection or section 19a-406 shall be construed as requiring such 755 medical examiner to perform an autopsy in connection with obtaining 756 such blood samples. 757 (b) A blood, [or] breath or urine sample shall be obtained from any 758 surviving operator whose motor vehicle is involved in an accident 759 resulting in the serious physical injury, as defined in section 53a-3, or 760 death of another person, if (1) a police officer has probable cause to 761 believe that such operator operated such motor vehicle while under the 762 influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, or both, or (2) such operator 763 has been charged with a motor vehicle violation in connection with such 764 accident and a police officer has a reasonable and articulable suspicion 765 that such operator operated such motor vehicle while under the 766 influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, or both. The test shall be 767 performed by or at the direction of a police officer according to methods 768 and with equipment approved by the Department of Emergency 769 Services and Public Protection and shall be performed by a person 770 certified or recertified for such purpose by said department or 771 recertified by persons certified as instructors by the Commissioner of 772 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 26 of 108 Emergency Services and Public Protection. The equipment used for such 773 test shall be checked for accuracy by a person certified by the 774 Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection immediately 775 before and after such test is performed. If a blood test is performed, it 776 shall be on a blood sample taken by a person licensed to practice 777 medicine and surgery in this state, a qualified laboratory technician, a 778 registered nurse, a physician assistant or a phlebotomist. [The blood 779 samples] A blood sample obtained from an operator pursuant to this 780 subsection shall be examined for the presence and concentration of 781 alcohol and any drug by the Division of Scientific Services within the 782 Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. 783 (c) Each police officer who obtains from a surviving operator any 784 blood, breath or urine sample pursuant to subsection (b) of this section 785 shall submit to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles a written report 786 providing the results of such sample on a form approved by the 787 commissioner. The commissioner may, after notice and an opportunity 788 for a hearing held in accordance with chapter 54 and section 14-227b, as 789 amended by this act, suspend the motor vehicle operator's license or 790 operating privilege of such person and require such person to install and 791 maintain an ignition interlock device as provided for in subsection (i) of 792 section 14-227b, as amended by this act. Such hearing shall be limited to 793 a determination of the following issues: (1) Was the person operating 794 the motor vehicle; (2) was the person's sample obtained in accordance 795 with the provisions of subsection (b) of this section; and (3) was the 796 examined sample found to have an elevated blood alcohol content, as 797 defined in section 14-227b, as amended by this act, or elevated blood 798 THC content, as defined in section 14-227b, as amended by this act, or 799 was there substantial evidence that the person was operating the motor 800 vehicle under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug or both. 801 Sec. 13. Subsection (c) of section 14-44k of the general statutes is 802 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective April 803 1, 2022): 804 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 27 of 108 (c) In addition to any other penalties provided by law, and except as 805 provided in subsection (d) of this section, a person is disqualified from 806 operating a commercial motor vehicle for one year if the commissioner 807 finds that such person has refused to submit to a test to determine such 808 person's blood alcohol concentration while operating any motor vehicle, 809 [or has failed such a test when given,] has an elevated blood alcohol 810 content or elevated blood THC content based on such a test pursuant to 811 section 14-227b, as amended by this act, or was found to have been 812 operating under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug or both 813 based on a report filed pursuant to the provisions of subsection (d) of 814 section 14-227b, as amended by this act, or pursuant to the provisions of 815 a law of any other state that is deemed by the commissioner to be 816 substantially similar to section 14-227b, as amended by this act. For the 817 purpose of this subsection, [a person shall be deemed to have failed such 818 a test if, when driving a commercial motor vehicle, the ratio of alcohol 819 in the blood of such person was four-hundredths of one per cent or more 820 of alcohol, by weight, or if, when driving any other motor vehicle, the 821 ratio of alcohol in the blood of such person was eight-hundredths of one 822 per cent or more of alcohol, by weight] "elevated blood alcohol content" 823 and "elevated blood THC content" have the same meanings as provided 824 in section 14-227b, as amended by this act. 825 Sec. 14. Subdivision (3) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n of the 826 general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 827 thereof (Effective April 1, 2022): 828 (3) For the purposes of this section, "motor vehicle specially 829 designated for carrying children" means any motor vehicle, except for a 830 registered school bus or student transportation vehicle as defined in 831 section 14-212, that is designated or used by a person, firm or 832 corporation for the transportation of children to or from any program or 833 activity organized primarily for persons under the age of eighteen years, 834 with or without charge to the individual being transported, but does not 835 include a passenger motor vehicle normally used for personal, family or 836 household purposes that is operated by a person without a public 837 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 28 of 108 passenger endorsement; and "elevated blood alcohol content" means a 838 ratio of alcohol in the blood of such person that is eight-hundredths of 839 one per cent or more of alcohol, by weight, except that if such person is 840 operating a commercial motor vehicle, "elevated blood alcohol content" 841 [means a ratio of alcohol in the blood of such person that is four-842 hundredths of one per cent or more of alcohol, by weight, and if such 843 person is under twenty-one years of age, "elevated blood alcohol 844 content" means a ratio of alcohol in the blood of such person that is two-845 hundredths of one per cent or more of alcohol, by weight] has the same 846 meaning as provided in section 14-227b, as amended by this act. 847 Sec. 15. (NEW) (Effective April 1, 2022) The state traffic safety resource 848 prosecutor, in consultation with the Department of Transportation, the 849 Department of Motor Vehicles, the state-wide drug recognition expert 850 coordinator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and 851 the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, shall (1) develop educational 852 materials and programs about the drug recognition expert program and 853 drug influence evaluations, and (2) make such materials and programs 854 available to the Judicial Branch and the Connecticut Judges Association. 855 Sec. 16. Section 15-140q of the general statutes is repealed and the 856 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective April 1, 2022): 857 (a) Any person who operates a vessel in this state shall be deemed to 858 have consented to (1) a chemical [analysis] test of such person's blood, 859 breath or urine, [and if] and (2) a nontestimonial drug influence 860 evaluation conducted by a drug recognition expert. If such person is a 861 minor, such person's parent or parents or guardian shall also be deemed 862 to have given their consent for such [an analysis of the minor's blood, 863 breath or urine] test or evaluation. 864 [(b) If any such person, having been placed under arrest for: (1) 865 Violating subsection (b) of section 53-206d; (2) operating a vessel upon 866 the waters of this state while under the influence of intoxicating liquor 867 or any drug, or both; (3) operating a vessel upon the waters of this state 868 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 29 of 108 while such person has an elevated blood alcohol content, and thereafter, 869 after being apprised of such person's constitutional rights, having been 870 requested to submit to a blood, breath or urine test at the option of the 871 police officer, having been afforded a reasonable opportunity to 872 telephone an attorney prior to the performance of such test and having 873 been informed that such person's safe boating certificate, right to 874 operate a vessel that requires a safe boating certificate for operation or 875 certificate of personal watercraft operation issued by the commissioner 876 as a condition of operating a vessel shall be suspended in accordance 877 with the provisions of this section if such person refuses to submit to 878 such test or if such person submits to such test and the results of such 879 test indicate that such person has an elevated blood alcohol content and 880 that evidence of any such refusal shall be admissible in accordance with 881 subsection (d) of section 15-140r, and may be used against such person 882 in any criminal prosecution, refuses to submit to the designated test, the 883 test shall not be given; provided, if such person refuses or is unable to 884 submit to a blood test, the peace officer shall designate the breath or 885 urine test as the test to be taken. The peace officer shall make a notation 886 upon the records of the police department that such officer informed 887 such person that such person's safe boating certificate, right to operate 888 a vessel that requires a safe boating certificate for operation or certificate 889 of personal watercraft operation would be suspended if such person 890 refused to submit to such test or if such person submitted to such test 891 and the results of such test indicated that such person has an elevated 892 blood alcohol content.] 893 (b) (1) A police officer who has placed a person under arrest for 894 violating subsection (b) of section 53-206d; operating a vessel upon the 895 waters of this state while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or 896 any drug, or both; or operating a vessel upon the waters of this state 897 while such person has an elevated blood alcohol content, may request 898 that such person submit to a blood, breath or urine test at the option of 899 the police officer, a drug influence evaluation conducted by a drug 900 recognition expert or both, after such person has been (A) apprised of 901 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 30 of 108 such person's constitutional rights, (B) afforded a reasonable 902 opportunity to telephone an attorney prior to the performance of such 903 test or evaluation, (C) informed that evidence of any refusal to submit 904 to such test or evaluation shall be admissible in accordance with 905 subsection (d) of section 15-140r, as amended by this act, and may be 906 used against such person in any criminal prosecution, except that 907 refusal to submit to the testimonial portions of a drug influence 908 evaluation shall not be considered evidence of refusal of such evaluation 909 for purposes of any criminal prosecution, and (D) informed that such 910 person's safe boating certificate, right to operate a vessel that requires a 911 safe boating certificate for operation or certificate of personal watercraft 912 operation issued by the commissioner as a condition of operating a 913 vessel may be suspended in accordance with the provisions of this 914 section if (i) such person refuses to submit to such test or nontestimonial 915 portion of a drug influence evaluation, (ii) such person submits to such 916 test and the results of such test indicate that such person has an elevated 917 blood alcohol content or elevated blood THC content, or (iii) the officer 918 believes there is substantial evidence to conclude that such person was 919 operating a vessel under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug 920 or both. 921 (2) If the person refuses to submit to any test or drug evaluation, the 922 test or evaluation shall not be given, except that if the person refuses or 923 is unable to submit to a blood test, the police officer shall designate 924 another test to be taken. If a person submits to a breath test and the 925 results indicate that the person does not have an elevated blood alcohol 926 content, the police officer may request that the person submit to a 927 different type of test, except that if the person refuses or is unable to 928 submit to a blood test, the police officer shall designate a urine test to be 929 taken. The police officer shall make a notation upon the records of the 930 police department that such officer informed the person that such 931 person's safe boating certificate, right to operate a vessel that requires a 932 safe boating certificate for operation or certificate of personal watercraft 933 operation may be suspended if such person (A) refused to submit to 934 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 31 of 108 such test or the nontestimonial portions of a drug influence evaluation; 935 (B) submitted to such test and the results of such test indicated that such 936 person had an elevated blood alcohol content or elevated blood THC 937 content; or (C) the officer believes there is substantial evidence to 938 conclude that such person was operating a vessel under the influence of 939 intoxicating liquor or any drug or both. 940 (c) (1) If the person arrested refuses to submit to such test or [analysis] 941 nontestimonial portion of a drug influence evaluation, or submits to 942 such test [or analysis] and the results of such test [or analysis] indicate 943 that at the time of the alleged offense such person had an elevated blood 944 alcohol content or elevated blood THC content, the peace officer shall 945 immediately revoke the safe boating certificate, right to operate a vessel 946 that requires a safe boating certificate for operation or certificate of 947 personal watercraft operation, if any, of such person for a twenty-four-948 hour period. The peace officer shall prepare a written report of the 949 incident and shall mail the report, together with any certificate taken 950 into possession and a copy of the results of any chemical test or analysis, 951 to the commissioner within three business days, except that failure of an 952 officer to mail or transmit such report within three business days shall 953 not impact a decision to suspend a safe boating certificate, right to 954 operate a vessel that requires a safe boating certificate for operation or 955 certificate of personal watercraft operation issued by the commissioner 956 as a condition of operating a vessel and shall not render such report 957 inadmissible at a proceeding under this section. The report shall be 958 made on a form approved by the commissioner and shall be subscribed 959 and sworn to under penalty of false statement as provided in section 960 53a-157b by the peace officer before whom such refusal was made or 961 who administered or caused to be administered such test or analysis. If 962 the person arrested refused to submit to such test or [analysis] 963 evaluation, the report shall be endorsed by a third person who 964 witnessed such refusal. The report shall set forth the grounds for the 965 officer's belief that there was probable cause to arrest such person for 966 operating such vessel while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or 967 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 32 of 108 any drug, or both, or while such person has an elevated blood alcohol 968 content and shall state that such person refused to submit to such test or 969 [analysis] evaluation when requested by such peace officer or that such 970 person submitted to such test [or analysis] and the results of such test 971 [or analysis] indicated that such person at the time of the alleged offense 972 had an elevated blood alcohol content or elevated blood THC content. 973 [(d) If the person arrested submits to a blood or urine test at the 974 request of the peace officer, and the specimen requires laboratory 975 analysis in order to obtain the test results, and if the test results indicate 976 that such person has an elevated blood alcohol content, the peace officer, 977 immediately upon receipt of the test results, shall notify and submit to 978 the commissioner the written report required pursuant to subsection (c) 979 of this section.] 980 (d) If a police officer who has placed a person under arrest for 981 violating subsection (b) of section 53-206d; operating a vessel upon the 982 waters of this state while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or 983 any drug, or both; or operating a vessel upon the waters of this state 984 while such person has an elevated blood alcohol content does not 985 request that such person submit to a blood, breath or urine test under 986 subsection (b) of this section, or obtains test results from a test 987 administered under subsection (b) of this section that indicate that the 988 person does not have an elevated blood alcohol content or elevated 989 blood THC content, such officer shall: 990 (1) Advise such person that such person's safe boating certificate, 991 right to operate a vessel that requires a safe boating certificate for 992 operation or certificate of personal watercraft operation issued by the 993 commissioner as a condition of operating a vessel may be suspended in 994 accordance with the provisions of this section if such police officer 995 believes there is substantial evidence to conclude that such person was 996 operating a vessel under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, 997 or both; and 998 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 33 of 108 (2) Submit a report to the commissioner in accordance with the 999 procedure set forth in subsection (c) of this section and, if such report 1000 contains the results of a blood, breath or urine test that does not show 1001 an elevated blood alcohol content or elevated THC content, such report 1002 shall conform to the requirements in subsection (c) of this section for 1003 reports that contain results showing an elevated blood alcohol content 1004 or elevated blood THC content. In any report submitted under this 1005 subdivision, the officer shall document (A) the basis for the officer's 1006 belief that there was probable cause to arrest such person for a violation 1007 of subsection (b) of section 53-206d; operating a vessel upon the waters 1008 of this state while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, 1009 or both; or operating a vessel upon the waters of this state while such 1010 person has an elevated blood alcohol content, and (B) whether the 1011 officer believes that there is substantial evidence to conclude that the 1012 person was operating a vessel under the influence of intoxicating liquor 1013 or any drug, or both. With such report, the officer may submit other 1014 supporting documentation indicating the person's intoxication by 1015 liquor or any drug, or both. If the officer believes there is substantial 1016 evidence to conclude that the person was operating a vessel under the 1017 influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug or both, the officer shall 1018 immediately revoke and take possession of the person's safe boating 1019 certificate, right to operate a vessel that requires a safe boating certificate 1020 for operation or certificate of personal watercraft operation issued by 1021 the commissioner as a condition of operating a vessel, for a twenty-four-1022 hour period. 1023 (e) Upon receipt of [such] a report submitted under subsection (c) or 1024 (d), the commissioner shall suspend the safe boating certificate, right to 1025 operate a vessel that requires a safe boating certificate for operation or 1026 certificate of personal watercraft operation of such person effective as of 1027 a date certain, such date certain shall be no later than thirty-five days 1028 [after] from the later of the date such person received (A) notice of such 1029 person's arrest by the peace officer, or (B) the results of a blood or urine 1030 test or a drug influence evaluation. Any person whose safe boating 1031 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 34 of 108 certificate, right to operate a vessel that requires a safe boating certificate 1032 for operation or certificate of personal watercraft operation is suspended 1033 in accordance with this subsection shall be entitled to a hearing before 1034 the commissioner to be held prior to the effective date of the suspension. 1035 The commissioner shall send a suspension notice to such person 1036 informing such person that such person's safe boating certificate, right 1037 to operate a vessel that requires a safe boating certificate for operation 1038 or certificate of personal watercraft operation is suspended and shall 1039 specify the date of such suspension and that such person is entitled to a 1040 hearing prior to the effective date of the suspension and may schedule 1041 such hearing by contacting the commissioner not later than seven days 1042 after the date of mailing of such suspension notice. 1043 (f) If such person does not contact the department to schedule a 1044 hearing, the commissioner shall affirm the suspension contained in the 1045 suspension notice for the appropriate period specified in subsection (i) 1046 of this section. 1047 (g) (1) If such person contacts the department to schedule a hearing, 1048 the commissioner shall assign a date, time and place for the hearing, 1049 which date shall be prior to the effective date of the suspension. At the 1050 request of such person and upon a showing of good cause, the 1051 commissioner may grant one continuance for a period not to exceed 1052 thirty days. [The hearing] 1053 (2) A hearing based on a report submitted under subsection (c) of this 1054 section shall be limited to a determination of the following issues: [(1)] 1055 (A) Whether the peace officer had probable cause to arrest the person 1056 for operating the vessel while under the influence of intoxicating liquor 1057 or drugs, or both, or while such person has an elevated blood alcohol 1058 content; [(2)] (B) whether such person was placed under arrest; [(3)] (C) 1059 whether such person [(A)] (i) refused to submit to such test or [analysis] 1060 nontestimonial portion of drug influence evaluation, or [(B)] (ii) 1061 submitted to such test [or analysis] and the results of such test [or 1062 analysis] indicated that at the time of the alleged offense that such 1063 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 35 of 108 person had an elevated blood alcohol content or elevated blood THC 1064 content; and [(4)] (D) whether such person was operating the vessel. 1065 (3) A hearing based on a report submitted under subsection (d) of this 1066 section shall be limited to a determination of the following issues: (A) 1067 Whether the peace officer had probable cause to arrest the person for 1068 operating a vessel while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or 1069 drugs, or both, or while such person has an elevated blood alcohol 1070 content; (B) whether such person was placed under arrest; (C) whether 1071 there is substantial evidence to conclude that the person was operating 1072 a vessel under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, or both; 1073 and (D) whether such person was operating the vessel. 1074 (4) At [the] a hearing held under this subsection, the results of the 1075 test, [or analysis] if administered, shall be sufficient to indicate the ratio 1076 of alcohol in the blood of such person at the time of operation, except 1077 that if the results of an additional test, administered pursuant to section 1078 15-140r, as amended by this act, indicate that the ratio of alcohol in the 1079 blood of such person is eight-hundredths of one per cent or less of 1080 alcohol, by weight, and is higher than the results of the first test, 1081 evidence shall be presented that demonstrates that the test results and 1082 analysis thereof accurately indicate the blood alcohol content at the time 1083 of operation. The fees of any witness summoned to appear at [the] a 1084 hearing under this subsection shall be the same as provided in section 1085 52-260. 1086 (5) In a hearing based on a report submitted under subsection (d) of 1087 this section, evidence of operation under the influence of intoxicating 1088 liquor or any drug, or both shall be admissible. Such evidence may 1089 include, but need not be limited to, (A) the police officer's observations 1090 of intoxication, as documented in a report submitted to the 1091 commissioner under subsection (d) of this section; (B) the results of any 1092 chemical test administered under this section or a toxicology report 1093 certified by the Division of Scientific Services; (C) hospital or medical 1094 records obtained in accordance with subsection (j) of this section or by 1095 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 36 of 108 the consent of the operator; or (D) reports of drug recognition experts. 1096 (h) If, after [such] a hearing under subdivision (2) of subsection (g) of 1097 this section, the commissioner finds in the negative on any one of [said] 1098 the issues in [the negative] subparagraph (A), (B), (C) or (D) of said 1099 subdivision, the commissioner shall stay the safe boating certificate, 1100 right to operate a vessel that requires a safe boating certificate for 1101 operation or certificate of personal watercraft operation suspension. If, 1102 after a hearing under subdivision (3) of subsection (g) of this section, the 1103 commissioner finds in the negative on any one of the issues in 1104 subparagraph (A), (B), (C) or (D) of said subdivision, the commissioner 1105 shall stay the safe boating certificate, right to operate a vessel that 1106 requires a safe boating certificate for operation or certificate of personal 1107 watercraft operation suspension. If, after such hearing under 1108 subdivision (2) or (3) of subsection (g) of this section, the commissioner 1109 does not find on any one of said issues in the negative or if such person 1110 fails to appear at such hearing, the commissioner shall affirm the 1111 suspension contained in the suspension notice for the appropriate 1112 period specified in subsection (i) of this section. The commissioner shall 1113 render a decision at the conclusion of such hearing or send a notice of 1114 the decision by certified mail to such person not later than thirty-five 1115 days from the date of notice of such person's arrest by the peace officer 1116 or, if a continuance is granted, not later than sixty-five days from the 1117 date such person received notice of such person's arrest by the peace 1118 officer. The notice of such decision sent by certified mail to the address 1119 of such person as shown by the records of the commissioner shall be 1120 sufficient notice to such person that such person's safe boating 1121 certificate, right to operate a vessel that requires a safe boating certificate 1122 for operation or certificate of personal watercraft operation is suspended 1123 or the suspension is stayed. Unless a continuance of the hearing is 1124 granted pursuant to subsection (g) of this section, if the commissioner 1125 fails to render a decision within thirty-five days from the date that such 1126 person received notice of such person's arrest by the peace officer, the 1127 commissioner shall not suspend such person's safe boating certificate, 1128 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 37 of 108 right to operate a vessel that requires a safe boating certificate for 1129 operation or certificate of personal watercraft operation. 1130 (i) The commissioner shall suspend the operator's safe boating 1131 certificate, right to operate a vessel that requires a safe boating certificate 1132 for operation or certificate of personal watercraft operation of a person 1133 who does not contact the department to schedule a hearing under 1134 subsection (e) of this section, who fails to appear at such hearing, or 1135 against whom, after a hearing, the commissioner holds pursuant to 1136 subsection (g) of this section. Such suspension shall be as of the effective 1137 date contained in the suspension notice or the date the commissioner 1138 renders a decision, whichever is later, for a period of: (1) (A) Except as 1139 provided in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, ninety days if such 1140 person submitted to a test [or analysis] and the results of such test [or 1141 analysis] indicated that at the time of the alleged offense that such 1142 person had an elevated blood alcohol content or elevated blood THC 1143 content, or such person was found to have been operating a vessel under 1144 the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, or both, based on a 1145 report filed pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, or (B) one hundred 1146 twenty days if such person submitted to a test [or analysis] and the 1147 results of such test [or analysis] indicated that the ratio of alcohol in the 1148 blood of such person was sixteen-hundredths of one per cent or more of 1149 alcohol, by weight, or (C) six months if such person refused to submit to 1150 such test; [or analysis;] (2) if such person has previously had such 1151 person's safe boating certificate, right to operate a vessel that requires a 1152 safe boating certificate for operation or certificate of personal watercraft 1153 operation suspended under this section, (A) except as provided in 1154 subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, nine months if such person 1155 submitted to a test [or analysis] and the results of such test [or analysis] 1156 indicated that at the time of the alleged offense that such person had an 1157 elevated blood alcohol content or elevated blood THC content, or such 1158 person was found to have been operating a vessel under the influence 1159 of intoxicating liquor or any drug, or both, based on a report filed 1160 pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, (B) ten months if such person 1161 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 38 of 108 submitted to a test [or analysis] and the results of such test [or analysis] 1162 indicated that the ratio of alcohol in the blood of such person was 1163 sixteen-hundredths of one per cent or more of alcohol, by weight, and 1164 (C) one year if such person refused to submit to such test; [or analysis;] 1165 and (3) if such person has two or more times previously had such 1166 person's safe boating certificate, right to operate a vessel that requires a 1167 safe boating certificate for operation or certificate of personal watercraft 1168 operation suspended under this section, (A) except as provided in 1169 subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, two years if such person 1170 submitted to a test [or analysis] and the results of such test [or analysis] 1171 indicated that at the time of the alleged offense that such person had an 1172 elevated blood alcohol content or elevated blood THC content, or such 1173 person was found to have been operating a vessel under the influence 1174 of intoxicating liquor or any drug, or both, based, on a report filed 1175 pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, (B) two and one-half years if 1176 such person submitted to a test [or analysis] and the results of such test 1177 [or analysis] indicated that the ratio of alcohol in the blood of such 1178 person was sixteen-hundredths of one per cent or more of alcohol, by 1179 weight, and (C) three years if such person refused to submit to such test. 1180 [or analysis.] 1181 (j) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (b) to (i), inclusive, 1182 of this section, any peace officer who obtains the results of a chemical 1183 analysis of a blood sample taken from an operator of a vessel involved 1184 in an accident who suffered or allegedly suffered physical injury in such 1185 accident shall notify the commissioner and submit to the commissioner 1186 a written report if such results indicate that at the time of the alleged 1187 offense such person had an elevated blood alcohol content or elevated 1188 blood THC content, or any quantity of an intoxicating liquor or any 1189 drug, or both, in such person's blood, and if such person was arrested 1190 for a violation of section 15-132a, subsection (d) of section 15-133 or 1191 section 15-140l or 15-140n in connection with such accident. The report 1192 shall be made on a form approved by the commissioner containing such 1193 information as the commissioner prescribes and shall be subscribed and 1194 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 39 of 108 sworn under penalty of false statement, as provided in section 53a-157b, 1195 by the peace officer. The commissioner shall, after notice and an 1196 opportunity for hearing, which shall be conducted in accordance with 1197 chapter 54, suspend the safe boating certificate, right to operate a vessel 1198 that requires a safe boating certificate for operation or certificate of 1199 personal watercraft operation of such person for a period of up to ninety 1200 days, or, if such person has previously had such person's operating 1201 privilege suspended under this section, for a period up to one year. Each 1202 hearing conducted under this section shall be limited to a determination 1203 of the following issues: (1) Whether the peace officer had probable cause 1204 to arrest the person for operating a vessel while under the influence of 1205 intoxicating liquor or drugs, or both, or while such person has an 1206 elevated blood alcohol content; (2) whether such person was placed 1207 under arrest; (3) whether such person was operating the vessel; (4) 1208 whether the results of the analysis of the blood of such person indicate 1209 that such person had an elevated blood alcohol content or elevated 1210 blood THC content, or there is substantial evidence to conclude that the 1211 person was operating a vessel under the influence of intoxicating liquor 1212 or any drug, or both; and (5) whether the blood sample was obtained in 1213 accordance with conditions for admissibility as set forth in section 15-1214 140s. If, after such hearing, the commissioner finds on any issue in the 1215 negative, the commissioner shall not impose a suspension. The fees of 1216 any witness summoned to appear at the hearing shall be the same as 1217 provided by the general statutes for witnesses in criminal cases. 1218 (k) The provisions of this section shall apply with the same effect to 1219 the refusal by any person to submit to an additional chemical test as 1220 provided in [subdivision (5)] subparagraph (E) of subdivision (1) of 1221 subsection (a) of section 15-140r, as amended by this act. 1222 (l) The provisions of this section do not apply to any person whose 1223 physical condition is such that, according to competent medical advice, 1224 such test would be inadvisable. 1225 (m) The state shall pay the reasonable charges of any physician who, 1226 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 40 of 108 at the request of a municipal police department, takes a blood sample 1227 for purposes of a test under the provisions of this section. 1228 (n) For the purposes of this section, "elevated blood alcohol content" 1229 means: (1) (A) A ratio of alcohol in the blood of such person that is eight-1230 hundredths of one per cent or more of alcohol, by weight, or (B) a ratio 1231 of alcohol in the blood of such person that is between five-hundredths 1232 and eight-hundredths of one per cent of alcohol by weight, if such 1233 person also tests positive for any quantity of an impairing drug or 1234 substance, or (2) if such person is under twenty-one years of age, a ratio 1235 of alcohol in the blood of such person that is two-hundredths of one per 1236 cent or more of alcohol, by weight; and "elevated blood THC content" 1237 means, if such person is less than twenty-one years of age, one-half 1238 nanogram or more of THC, as defined in section 1 of this act, in the blood 1239 of such person, unless such person provides evidence that such person 1240 is a qualifying patient with a valid registration certificate from the 1241 Department of Consumer Protection pursuant to chapter 420f. 1242 (o) The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with 1243 chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section. 1244 (p) For purposes of this section and section 15-140r, as amended by 1245 this act, (1) "drug influence evaluation" means a twelve-part evaluation 1246 developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and 1247 the International Association of Chiefs of Police that is conducted by a 1248 drug recognition expert to determine the level of a person's impairment 1249 from the use of drugs and the type of drug or drugs causing such 1250 impairment; (2) "drug recognition expert" means a person certified by 1251 the International Association of Chiefs of Police as having met all 1252 requirements of the International Drug Evaluation and Classification 1253 Program; and (3) "nontestimonial portion of a drug influence 1254 evaluation" means a drug influence evaluation conducted by a drug 1255 recognition expert that does not include a verbal interview with the 1256 subject. 1257 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 41 of 108 Sec. 17. Section 15-140r of the general statutes is repealed and the 1258 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective April 1, 2022): 1259 (a) (1) Except as provided in section 15-140s or subsection (d) of this 1260 section, in any criminal prosecution for the violation of section 15-132a, 1261 subsection (d) of section 15-133, section 15-140l or 15-140n or subsection 1262 (b) of section 53-206d, evidence respecting the amount of alcohol or drug 1263 in the defendant's blood or urine at the time of the alleged offense, as 1264 shown by a chemical [analysis] test of the defendant's breath, blood or 1265 urine shall be admissible and competent provided: [(1)] (A) The 1266 defendant was afforded a reasonable opportunity to telephone an 1267 attorney prior to the performance of the test and consented to the taking 1268 of the test upon which such analysis is made; [(2)] (B) a true copy of the 1269 report of the test result was mailed to or personally delivered to the 1270 defendant within twenty-four hours or by the end of the next regular 1271 business day, after such result was known, whichever is later; [(3)] (C) 1272 the test was performed by or at the direction of a certified law 1273 enforcement officer according to methods and with equipment 1274 approved by the Department of Emergency Services and Public 1275 Protection, and if a blood test was performed, it was performed on a 1276 blood sample taken by a person licensed to practice medicine and 1277 surgery in this state, a qualified laboratory technician, an emergency 1278 medical technician II or a registered nurse in accordance with the 1279 regulations adopted under subsection (b) of this section; [(4)] (D) the 1280 device used for such test was checked for accuracy in accordance with 1281 the regulations adopted under subsection (b) of this section; [(5)] (E) an 1282 additional chemical test of the same type was performed at least ten 1283 minutes after the initial test was performed or, if requested by the peace 1284 officer for reasonable cause, an additional chemical test of a different 1285 type was performed, including a test to detect the presence of a drug or 1286 drugs other than or in addition to alcohol, except that the results of the 1287 initial test shall not be inadmissible under this subsection if reasonable 1288 efforts were made to have such additional test performed in accordance 1289 with the conditions set forth in this subsection and (i) such additional 1290 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 42 of 108 test was not performed or was not performed within a reasonable time, 1291 or (ii) the results of such additional test are not admissible for failure to 1292 meet a condition set forth in this subsection; and [(6)] (F) evidence is 1293 presented that the test was commenced within two hours of operation 1294 of the vessel or expert testimony establishes the reliability of a test 1295 commenced beyond two hours of operation of the vessel. In any 1296 prosecution under this section, it shall be a rebuttable presumption that 1297 the results of such chemical analysis establish the ratio of alcohol in the 1298 blood of the defendant at the time of the alleged offense, except that if 1299 the results of the additional test indicate that the ratio of alcohol in the 1300 blood of such defendant is ten-hundredths of one per cent or less of 1301 alcohol, by weight, and is higher than the results of the first test, 1302 evidence shall be presented that demonstrates that the test results and 1303 the analysis thereof accurately indicate the blood alcohol content at the 1304 time of the alleged offense. 1305 (2) If a law enforcement officer who is a drug recognition expert 1306 conducts a drug influence evaluation, the officer's testimony concerning 1307 such evaluation shall be admissible and competent as evidence of the 1308 operation of a vessel while under the influence of liquor or any drug or 1309 both under subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section. 1310 (b) The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection 1311 shall ascertain the reliability of each method and type of device offered 1312 for chemical testing and analysis of blood, of breath and of urine and 1313 certify those methods and types which the Commissioner of Emergency 1314 Services and Public Protection finds suitable for use in testing and 1315 analysis of blood, breath and urine, respectively, in this state. The 1316 Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, after 1317 consultation with the Commissioner of Public Health, shall adopt 1318 regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, governing the conduct of 1319 chemical tests, the operation and use of chemical test devices and the 1320 training and certification of operators of such devices and the drawing 1321 or obtaining of blood, breath or urine samples as the Commissioner of 1322 Emergency Services and Public Protection finds necessary to protect the 1323 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 43 of 108 health and safety of persons who submit to chemical tests and to insure 1324 reasonable accuracy in testing results. Such regulations shall not require 1325 recertification of a peace officer solely because such officer terminates 1326 such officer's employment with the law enforcement agency for which 1327 certification was originally issued and commences employment with 1328 another such agency. 1329 (c) If a person is charged with a violation of section 15-132a, 1330 subsection (d) of section 15-133 or section 15-140l or 15-140n, the charge 1331 may not be reduced, nolled or dismissed unless the prosecuting 1332 authority states in open court such prosecutor's reasons for the 1333 reduction, nolle or dismissal. 1334 (d) (1) In any criminal prosecution for a violation of section 15-132a, 1335 subsection (d) of section 15-133 or section 15-140l or 15-140n, evidence 1336 that the defendant refused to submit to a blood, breath or urine test or 1337 nontestimonial portion of a drug influence evaluation requested in 1338 accordance with section 15-140q, as amended by this act, shall be 1339 admissible provided the requirements of subsection (a) of said section 1340 have been satisfied. If a case involving a violation of section 15-132a, 1341 subsection (d) of section 15-133 or section 15-140l or 15-140n is tried to a 1342 jury, the court shall instruct the jury as to any inference that may or may 1343 not be drawn from the defendant's refusal to submit to a blood, breath 1344 or urine test or evaluation. 1345 (2) A drug recognition expert may testify as to his or her opinion or 1346 otherwise as to the significance of any symptoms of impairment or 1347 intoxication for which evidence has been admitted or on the condition 1348 that such evidence be introduced. 1349 (3) In any prosecution for a violation of subdivision (1) of subsection 1350 (a) of this section in which it is alleged that the defendant's operation of 1351 a vessel was impaired, in whole or in part, by consumption of cannabis, 1352 cannabis products or THC, as those terms are defined in section 1 of this 1353 act, the court may take judicial notice that the ingestion of THC (i) can 1354 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 44 of 108 impair a person's ability to operate a vessel; (ii) can impair a person's 1355 motor function, reaction time, tracking ability, cognitive attention, 1356 decision-making, judgment, perception, peripheral vision, impulse 1357 control and memory; and (iii) does not enhance a person's ability to 1358 safely operate a vessel. 1359 Sec. 18. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) There is established a 1360 Cannabis Equity Commission, which shall be administered by the 1361 Department of Consumer Protection. 1362 (b) The commission shall consist of nine members appointed as 1363 follows: 1364 (1) Two appointed by the Governor who shall have a professional 1365 background of not less than five years working in the field of either 1366 social justice or civil rights; 1367 (2) One appointed by the Governor who shall have a professional 1368 background of not less than five years working in the field of economic 1369 development; 1370 (3) One appointed by the Governor who shall have a professional 1371 background of not less than five years in providing access to capital to 1372 minorities, as defined in section 32-9n of the general statutes; 1373 (4) One appointed by the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus of the 1374 General Assembly; 1375 (5) The Commissioner of Consumer Protection, or the commissioner's 1376 designee; 1377 (6) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, 1378 or the commissioner's designee; 1379 (7) The Commissioner of Revenue Services, or the commissioner's 1380 designee; and 1381 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 45 of 108 (8) The Labor Commissioner, or the commissioner's designee. 1382 (c) The Governor shall make all appointments not later than thirty 1383 days after the effective date of this section and shall appoint the 1384 chairperson of the commission. 1385 (d) The Governor shall fill any vacancy for the unexpired term. Each 1386 commissioner shall take the oath prescribed for executive officers. 1387 (e) The terms of the appointed members of the commission shall be 1388 coterminous with the term of the Governor and subject to the provisions 1389 of section 4-1a of the general statutes. 1390 (f) A majority of the members of the commission shall constitute a 1391 quorum for the transaction of any business. 1392 (g) The members of the commission shall serve without 1393 compensation, but shall, within available appropriations, be reimbursed 1394 for expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties. 1395 (h) In making the appointments in subsection (b) of this section, the 1396 Governor shall use his or her best efforts to make appointments that 1397 reflect the racial, gender and geographic diversity of the population of 1398 the state. 1399 Sec. 19. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) The commission established 1400 pursuant to section 18 of this act shall promote and encourage full 1401 participation in the cannabis industry by persons from communities 1402 that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition and 1403 enforcement. 1404 (b) Not later than January 1, 2021, the commission shall make written 1405 recommendations, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of 1406 the general statutes, to the Governor and the joint standing committees 1407 of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to 1408 consumer protection, the judiciary and finance, revenue and bonding, 1409 regarding legislation to implement the provisions of sections 18 to 29, 1410 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 46 of 108 inclusive, of this act, sections 31 to 39, inclusive, of this act, section 41 of 1411 this act, section 21a-243 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, 1412 and section 21a-408t of the general statutes, as amended by this act. In 1413 making such recommendations, the commission shall consider whether 1414 to: 1415 (1) Establish an equity applicant status for potential owners of 1416 cannabis establishments. For purposes of this section, "equity applicant" 1417 means a person who: (A) Either as an adult or a juvenile, was arrested 1418 for or convicted of the sale, possession, use, manufacture or cultivation 1419 of cannabis, (B) has a parent or child who, either as an adult or a juvenile, 1420 was arrested for or convicted of the sale, possession, use, manufacture 1421 or cultivation of cannabis, or (C) has been a resident of a 1422 disproportionately impacted census tract for not less than five of the 1423 previous ten years. For purposes of this subdivision, 1424 "disproportionately impacted census tract" means a census tract in a 1425 municipality in which the unemployment rate is greater than the state-1426 wide unemployment rate and the percentage of individuals below the 1427 federal poverty level is greater than the state-wide percentage of 1428 individuals below the federal poverty level; 1429 (2) Provide for expedited or priority license processing for each class 1430 of license established pursuant to sections 18 to 25, inclusive, of this act 1431 for equity applicants; 1432 (3) Require that any cannabis establishment licensed on or after July 1433 1, 2022, that is not owned by an equity applicant comply with an 1434 approved plan to reinvest or provide employment and training 1435 opportunities in disproportionately impacted census tract areas or in 1436 communities disproportionately impacted by high rates of drug-related 1437 arrests, marijuana sale arrests or marijuana possession arrests; 1438 (4) Establish a lower fee structure for equity applicants; 1439 (5) (A) Require that any cannabis establishment owned by an equity 1440 applicant shall be not less than a specified per cent, approved by the 1441 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 47 of 108 commission, owned and controlled by one or more equity applicants, 1442 whose primary addresses have been in this state for the past five years 1443 and who manage the day-to-day operations and make long-term 1444 decisions for the business, and (B) require equity applicants to be 1445 approved by the department; 1446 (6) Require that any cannabis establishment owned by an equity 1447 applicant shall not, within a specified period of operation, be sold to a 1448 nonequity applicant in a manner that results in the total ownership of 1449 the cannabis establishment being less than the minimum percentage, 1450 approved by the commission, required to be owned and controlled by 1451 one or more equity applicants except with approval of the department; 1452 (7) Establish a process to best ensure that equity applicants have 1453 access to the capital and training needed to own and operate a cannabis 1454 establishment; 1455 (8) Establish cannabis micro business licenses; 1456 (9) Establish requirements regarding the delivery of cannabis and 1457 cannabis products to consumers, including, but not limited to, the 1458 establishment of a cannabis retail delivery license; and 1459 (10) Provide for the distribution of a portion of tax revenues to 1460 support residents in disproportionately impacted census tracts. 1461 Sec. 20. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2022) (a) Each cannabis establishment 1462 shall provide the commission with an annual report for the prior year 1463 on or before January fifteenth regarding the diversity of its workforce 1464 and ownership. The commission shall make the overall percentages 1465 regarding such diversity and ownership available to the public. 1466 (b) Individuals who have been arrested or convicted for the sale or 1467 possession of cannabis or for a misdemeanor drug offense that did not 1468 involve the use, attempted use or threatened use of physical force 1469 against another person shall not be prohibited from participating or 1470 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 48 of 108 obtaining licensure in the cannabis industry. 1471 (c) All licensees granted a license pursuant to sections 18 to 25, 1472 inclusive, of this act shall establish and adhere to policies that encourage 1473 diversity for purposes of employment, contracting and other 1474 professional service opportunities. Such policies shall be provided by 1475 the licensee to the commission upon request. 1476 Sec. 21. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2022) (a) A producer in good standing 1477 may acquire, sell, deliver or transport cannabis or cannabis products to 1478 cannabis establishments, laboratories and research programs. 1479 (b) No person shall hold a cannabis establishment license issued 1480 pursuant to sections 18 to 25, inclusive, of this act or be employed by a 1481 cannabis establishment or a licensee pursuant to chapter 420f unless 1482 such person is eighteen years of age or older. 1483 Sec. 22. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2022) On and after July 1, 2022, the 1484 department may issue a license to a person to be a cannabis retailer. No 1485 person shall act as a cannabis retailer or represent that such person is a 1486 licensed retailer, unless such person has obtained a license from the 1487 department pursuant to this section. Such person shall apply for a 1488 license on a form and in a manner prescribed by the commissioner. 1489 Sec. 23. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2022) (a) Except as provided in 1490 sections 18 to 29, inclusive, of this act, sections 31 to 35, inclusive, of this 1491 act, section 21a-408t of the general statutes, as amended by this act, or 1492 chapter 420f of the general statutes, no person, other than a cannabis 1493 retailer, shall sell or deliver cannabis or cannabis products, excluding 1494 hemp, to a consumer. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, 1495 research programs may sell cannabis or cannabis products to subjects of 1496 a research program, as defined in section 21a-408 of the general statutes. 1497 (b) No cannabis or cannabis product, excluding hemp, shall be sold 1498 from, obtained from or transferred to a location outside of this state by 1499 a cannabis establishment if such sale would be in violation of federal 1500 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 49 of 108 law. 1501 (c) Each employee of a cannabis establishment shall apply for a 1502 license on a form and in a manner prescribed by the commissioner prior 1503 to commencing employment at the cannabis establishment. Such form 1504 may require the applicant to provide information sufficient for the 1505 department to conduct state and national criminal history records 1506 checks in accordance with section 29-17a of the general statutes. The 1507 commissioner may establish a cannabis establishment employee 1508 registration fee of not more than two hundred fifty dollars. 1509 (d) No person shall act as a backer or represent that such person is a 1510 backer unless such person has obtained a license from the department 1511 pursuant to this section. Such person shall apply for a license on a form 1512 and in a manner prescribed by the commissioner. Such form may 1513 require the applicant to provide information sufficient for the 1514 department to: (A) Conduct state and national criminal history records 1515 checks in accordance with section 29-17a of the general statutes, 1516 including a financial history check, to determine the character and 1517 fitness of the applicant for the license, (B) assess whether the applicant 1518 has an ownership interest in any other cannabis establishment, and (C) 1519 obtain such other information as the department determines is 1520 consistent with the requirements of sections 18 to 29, inclusive, of this 1521 act, sections 31 to 35, inclusive, of this act, section 41 of this act, section 1522 21a-243 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, and section 21a-1523 408t of the general statutes, as amended by this act, or chapter 420f of 1524 the general statutes. 1525 (e) Any person who receives a license issued pursuant to sections 18 1526 to 25, inclusive, of this act shall notify the department of any changes to 1527 the information supplied on the application for such license not later 1528 than five business days after such change. 1529 Sec. 24. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) Not later than January 1, 1530 2021, the department shall make written recommendations, in 1531 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 50 of 108 accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, 1532 regarding cannabis retailers to the Governor and the joint standing 1533 committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters 1534 relating to consumer protection, the judiciary and finance, revenue and 1535 bonding, regarding legislation to implement the provisions of sections 1536 18 to 29, inclusive, of this act, sections 31 to 35, inclusive, of this act, 1537 section 41 of this act, section 21a-243 of the general statutes, as amended 1538 by this act, and section 21a-408t of the general statutes, as amended by 1539 this act, to: 1540 (1) Avoid an overconcentration of cannabis retailers in any one area 1541 and to ensure that such retailers are located state-wide; 1542 (2) Enable the department to license any person that applies for a 1543 cannabis retailer license, provided the department deems such 1544 applicant qualified to acquire, possess, sell and deliver cannabis; 1545 (3) Establish nonrefundable application fees, license fees and renewal 1546 fees for each cannabis retailer license; 1547 (4) Establish the terms of cannabis retailer licenses; 1548 (5) Establish health, safety and security requirements for cannabis 1549 retailers, which may include, but need not be limited to, the ability to 1550 maintain adequate control against the diversion, theft and loss of 1551 cannabis acquired or possessed by the licensed cannabis retailer and the 1552 ability to maintain the knowledge, understanding, judgment, operating 1553 procedures and security controls to ensure safety and accuracy in the 1554 selling, delivering and use of cannabis; 1555 (6) Establish processes for online ordering and delivery to consumers 1556 to ensure that consumers are of a legal age to purchase cannabis; 1557 (7) Prohibit the retail sale of cannabis designed to appeal to children, 1558 including, but not limited to banning (A) the use of cartoons, toys, 1559 animals or children; (B) products that look like any specific trademarked 1560 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 51 of 108 food product; and (C) advertising in time, place, location or mediums, 1561 including online, which may reach underage individuals. 1562 (8) Establish restrictions on cannabis advertising, marketing and 1563 signage, including, but not limited to, a prohibition on mass-market 1564 campaigns that have a high likelihood of reaching children; 1565 (9) Require cannabis products to be sold with a warning label or 1566 handout, after consultation with researchers knowledgeable about the 1567 risks and benefits of cannabis. Such label or handout may include advice 1568 about the potential risks of cannabis and cannabis products, such as: (A) 1569 The risks of driving under the influence of cannabis and the fact that 1570 doing so is illegal; (B) the risk of cannabis use disorder and where a 1571 person may seek assistance for the disorder; (C) potential exacerbation 1572 of psychotic disorders; (D) adverse effects unique to younger adults, 1573 including those related to the developing mind; (E) potential adverse 1574 events and other risks; (F) risks of using cannabis during pregnancy or 1575 breast feeding; and (G) the need to safeguard cannabis and cannabis 1576 products from children and pets; 1577 (10) Require each licensed cannabis retailer to utilize an electronic 1578 inventory control and sale tracking system with the ability to provide 1579 reporting as required by the commissioner, in a manner prescribed by 1580 the commissioner, to ensure compliance with sections 18 to 29, inclusive, 1581 of this act, sections 31 to 35, inclusive, of this act, section 41 of this act, 1582 section 21a-243 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, and 1583 section 21a-408t of the general statutes, as amended by this act; 1584 (11) Minimize the cost difference between cannabis and cannabis 1585 products authorized pursuant to sections 18 to 25, inclusive, of this act 1586 and marijuana and marijuana products sold pursuant to chapter 420f of 1587 the general statutes and any regulations adopted pursuant to said 1588 chapter, and to maintain and prioritize access to marijuana and 1589 marijuana products sold pursuant to chapter 420f of the general statutes 1590 and any regulations adopted pursuant to said chapter; 1591 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 52 of 108 (12) Ensure competition and prevent concentration of ownership, 1592 including, but not limited to, establishing licensing requirements for 1593 backers; 1594 (13) Establish other licensing, renewal and operational standards 1595 deemed necessary by the commissioner; 1596 (14) Establish standards and requirements for cannabis 1597 establishments to verify the age and identity of consumers. Such 1598 requirements shall be designed to prevent the sale or diversion of 1599 cannabis and cannabis products to individuals under twenty-one years 1600 of age; 1601 (15) Eliminate the registration fee imposed on medical marijuana 1602 patients and caregivers; 1603 (16) Create the standards for cannabis product manufacturing 1604 licenses, facilities and products. Cannabis product manufacturing 1605 licenses shall include, but may not be limited to, a cannabis product 1606 manufacturing facility extraction license and a cannabis product 1607 manufacturing facility processing license; 1608 (17) Establish nonrefundable application fees, license fees and 1609 renewal fees for cannabis product manufacturing licenses; 1610 (18) Establish the terms of cannabis product manufacturing licenses; 1611 (19) Designate permissible locations for licensed cannabis product 1612 manufacturing facilities in this state; 1613 (20) Establish financial requirements for cannabis product 1614 manufacturing facilities and backers, under which applicants shall 1615 demonstrate the financial capacity to build and operate a cannabis 1616 product manufacturing facility; 1617 (21) Establish health, safety and security requirements for licensed 1618 cannabis product manufacturing facilities, which shall include, but need 1619 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 53 of 108 not be limited to, a requirement that the applicant or licensed cannabis 1620 product manufacturing facility demonstrates the ability to maintain 1621 adequate control against the diversion, theft and loss of cannabis and 1622 cannabis products; 1623 (22) Establish other licensing, renewal and operational standards 1624 deemed necessary by the commissioner; 1625 (23) Require each licensed cannabis product manufacturing facility to 1626 utilize an electronic inventory control and sale-tracking system with 1627 reporting capability, as required by the commissioner, to ensure 1628 compliance with sections 18 to 29, inclusive, of this act, sections 31 to 35, 1629 inclusive, of this act and section 21a-408t of the general statutes, as 1630 amended by this act; 1631 (24) Determine whether a license for cannabis cultivation facilities is 1632 necessary or whether the producer license shall be the sole license under 1633 which the cultivation of cannabis may occur in this state. If the 1634 department determines that a cannabis cultivation license is necessary, 1635 it shall also make recommendations to: 1636 (25) Determine the number of such facilities that may be licensed in 1637 this state to meet the needs of consumers; 1638 (26) Establish a nonrefundable application fee, license fee and 1639 renewal fee for each cannabis cultivation facility license; 1640 (27) Establish the term of a cannabis cultivation facility license; 1641 (28) Establish financial requirements for cannabis cultivation facilities 1642 and backers, under which applicants shall demonstrate the financial 1643 capacity to build and operate a cannabis cultivation facility; 1644 (29) Establish health, safety and security requirements for licensed 1645 cannabis cultivation facilities, which shall include, but need not be 1646 limited to, a requirement that each applicant or licensed cannabis 1647 cultivation facility demonstrate: (A) The ability to maintain adequate 1648 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 54 of 108 control against the diversion, theft and loss of cannabis cultivated by the 1649 cannabis cultivation facility, and (B) the ability to cultivate such 1650 cannabis in a secure manner; 1651 (30) Require each licensed cannabis cultivation facility to utilize an 1652 electronic inventory control and sale tracking system with the ability to 1653 provide reporting as required by the commissioner, and in a manner 1654 prescribed by the commissioner, to ensure compliance with sections 18 1655 to 29, inclusive, of this act, sections 31 to 35, inclusive, of this act and 1656 section 21a-408t of the general statutes, as amended by this act; 1657 (31) Establish other licensing, renewal and operational standards 1658 deemed necessary by the commissioner; 1659 (32) Requirements for the transportation and storage of cannabis and 1660 cannabis products by cannabis establishments; 1661 (33) Requirements for employment and training for each cannabis 1662 establishment, excluding dispensary facilities and producers, and its 1663 employees; and 1664 (34) Impose additional requirements for cannabis and cannabis 1665 products sold by a cannabis establishment, including labels and 1666 packaging requirements for cannabis and cannabis products, including, 1667 but not limited to, the following: 1668 (A) A disclosure concerning the length of time it typically takes for 1669 the cannabis or cannabis product to affect an individual; 1670 (B) A notation of the amount of cannabis the cannabis product is 1671 considered the equivalent to; 1672 (C) A list of ingredients and possible allergens for cannabis and 1673 cannabis products; 1674 (D) A nutritional fact panel for cannabis products that includes 1675 serving size. The commissioner shall determine which cannabis 1676 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 55 of 108 products shall require nutritional fact panels; 1677 (E) An opaque, child-resistant packaging, which is designed or 1678 constructed to be significantly difficult for children under five years of 1679 age to open and not difficult for adults to use properly, as defined in 16 1680 CFR 1700.1, as amended from time to time; 1681 (F) Identification of edible cannabis products, when practicable, with 1682 a standard symbol indicating that it contains cannabis; 1683 (G) The license number of the cannabis product manufacturing 1684 facility license or producer license; 1685 (H) The license number of the cannabis retailer; 1686 (I) The batch number of the cannabis or cannabis product; 1687 (J) A net weight statement; 1688 (K) A disclosure of any solvent used in the extraction process of a 1689 cannabis product, if applicable; 1690 (L) A recommended use by or expiration date for cannabis or 1691 cannabis products; 1692 (M) Standard and uniform packaging and labeling; 1693 (35) Establish health and safety standards for the manufacture of 1694 cannabis products; 1695 (36) Establish restrictions or prohibitions on additives to cannabis 1696 and cannabis products, including, but not limited to, those that are toxic, 1697 designed to make the product more addictive, designed to make the 1698 product more appealing to children or misleading to consumers. Such 1699 prohibition shall include vitamin E acetate and other vitamin E 1700 derivatives for use in cannabis vaping products; 1701 (37) Establish protocols governing visits to cannabis product 1702 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 56 of 108 manufacturing facilities and producers, including requiring such 1703 establishments to maintain a log of visitors; 1704 (38) Establish a definition of the amount of THC that constitutes a 1705 single serving in a cannabis product; 1706 (39) Establish standards for the safe manufacture of cannabis 1707 products; 1708 (40) Establish requirements that educational materials be 1709 disseminated or made available to consumers who purchase cannabis 1710 or cannabis products; 1711 (41) Establish requirements for random sample testing to ensure 1712 quality control, including requirements that cannabis and cannabis 1713 products are accurately labeled. Any such testing shall include, but not 1714 be limited to, testing for residual solvents, poisons, toxins, harmful 1715 chemicals, dangerous molds or mildew, filth, harmful microbials such 1716 as E. Coli or salmonella and pesticides; 1717 (42) Establish a modified process to solicit and review applications 1718 from producers and dispensary facilities licensed pursuant to chapter 1719 420f of the general statutes; 1720 (43) Establish standards for the operation of laboratories, including 1721 requirements for equipment and qualifications for personnel; 1722 (44) Establish requirements to ensure the health and safety of the 1723 public regarding any vaporizer or inhalation device sold or 1724 manufactured by a cannabis establishment; 1725 (45) Establish standards for licensure of backers and restrictions, if 1726 deemed appropriate by the department, for cross-ownership of 1727 cannabis establishments; 1728 (46) Set restrictions on the total amount of THC per serving in any 1729 cannabis product, the total number of milligrams of THC allowed to be 1730 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 57 of 108 purchased per transaction, forms of cannabis product delivery systems 1731 and methods of consumption and dosage amounts for the cannabis 1732 products sold; and 1733 (47) Establish responsibilities of licensees under chapter 420f of the 1734 general statutes to maintain priority access of product to qualifying 1735 patients. Such recommendations may include a recommendation 1736 regarding the colocation of a dispensary facility under chapter 420f of 1737 the general statutes with a cannabis retailer under sections 18 to 29, 1738 inclusive, of this act, sections 31 to 35, inclusive, of this act and section 1739 21a-408t of the general statutes, as amended by this act. 1740 (b) No standard or requirement enacted pursuant to sections 18 to 29, 1741 inclusive, of this act, sections 31 to 35, inclusive, of this act, section 41 of 1742 this act, section 21a-243 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, 1743 and section 21a-408t of the general statutes, as amended by this act, shall 1744 require: (1) A consumer to provide a cannabis retailer with personal 1745 information other than government-issued identification to determine 1746 the consumer's age; or (2) a cannabis retailer to acquire and record 1747 personal information about consumers. 1748 (c) Cannabis products shall be packaged in individual child-resistant 1749 packages. 1750 Sec. 25. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2022) (a) On and after the effective 1751 date of this section, the department may issue or renew a license for a 1752 person to be a cannabis product manufacturing facility. No person may 1753 act as a cannabis product manufacturing facility or represent that such 1754 person is a licensed cannabis product manufacturing facility unless such 1755 person has obtained a license from the department pursuant to this 1756 section. 1757 (b) The department may license any person who applies for a license, 1758 provided (1) such person is organized for the purpose of manufacturing 1759 cannabis products in this state until federal law allows for the interstate 1760 sale of cannabis, and (2) the commissioner finds that such applicant is 1761 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 58 of 108 qualified to manufacture cannabis products and sell, deliver or 1762 transport such products pursuant to sections 18 to 29, inclusive, of this 1763 act, sections 31 to 35, inclusive, of this act or section 21a-408t of the 1764 general statutes, as amended by this act. At a minimum, the department 1765 shall: 1766 (A) Issue a cannabis product manufacturing facility extraction license 1767 that allows the holder of such license to perform any cannabis 1768 extractions, chemical synthesis and all other manufacturing activities 1769 authorized pursuant to sections 18 to 29, inclusive, of this act, sections 1770 31 to 35, inclusive, of this act, section 41 of this act, section 21a-243 of the 1771 general statutes, as amended by this act, and section 21a-408t of the 1772 general statutes, as amended by this act; and 1773 (B) Issue a cannabis product manufacturing facility processing 1774 license that permits the licensee to prepare or produce a food, as defined 1775 in section 21a-92 of the general statutes, that contains cannabis or 1776 cannabis products, or repackage cannabis or cannabis products. Such 1777 license shall not allow the holder of such license to perform any cannabis 1778 extractions. 1779 (c) No cannabis product manufacturing facility shall manufacture 1780 cannabis products for distribution outside of this state in violation of 1781 federal law. 1782 Sec. 26. (NEW) (Effective from passage) No employee of the department 1783 who carries out the duties and responsibilities of sections 18 to 29, 1784 inclusive, of this act, sections 31 to 35, inclusive, of this act, section 41 of 1785 this act, section 21a-243 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, 1786 or section 21a-408t of the general statutes, as amended by this act, and 1787 any regulations enacted pursuant thereto may, directly or indirectly, 1788 individually or as a member of a partnership, have any management or 1789 financial interest whatsoever in the cultivation, manufacture, sale, 1790 transportation, delivery or testing of cannabis, nor receive any 1791 commission or profit whatsoever from nor have any interest whatsoever 1792 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 59 of 108 in purchases or sales made by persons authorized to make such 1793 purchases or sales pursuant to said sections. No provision of this section 1794 shall prevent any such employee from purchasing and keeping in his or 1795 her possession, for his or her personal use or the use of such employee's 1796 family or guests, any cannabis which may be purchased or kept by any 1797 person by virtue of said sections. 1798 Sec. 27. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2020) (a) Any municipality may, by 1799 amendment to such municipality's zoning regulations or ordinances, 1800 prohibit the establishment of a cannabis establishment, except for a 1801 dispensary facility or producer, or establish reasonable restrictions 1802 regarding the hours and signage within the limits of such municipality. 1803 The chief zoning official of a municipality shall report, in writing, any 1804 zoning changes adopted by the municipality regarding cannabis 1805 establishments pursuant to this subsection to the Secretary of the Office 1806 of Policy and Management and to the department not later than 1807 fourteen days after the adoption of such changes. The chief zoning 1808 official of each municipality shall inform such secretary and the 1809 department, in writing, on or before January 1, 2022, as to whether such 1810 municipality prohibits or restricts cannabis establishments based on 1811 zoning or municipal ordinance. 1812 (b) Any prohibition on the establishment of or restriction regarding 1813 hours and signage of a cannabis establishment adopted by a 1814 municipality shall not apply to an existing cannabis establishment 1815 located in such municipality, for a period of five years after the adoption 1816 of such prohibition or restriction. 1817 (c) The department shall refuse to issue an initial license to an 1818 applicant for a cannabis establishment if such cannabis establishment 1819 would be located in a municipality that has prohibited the establishment 1820 of such a cannabis establishment. 1821 (d) No municipality shall prohibit delivery of cannabis or cannabis 1822 products to a consumer when the delivery is made by a cannabis 1823 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 60 of 108 retailer, dispensary facility or other person authorized to make such 1824 delivery pursuant to sections 18 to 29, inclusive, of this act, sections 31 1825 to 35, inclusive, of this act, section 41 of this act, section 21a-243 of the 1826 general statutes, as amended by this act, or section 21a-408t of the 1827 general statutes, as amended by this act. 1828 (e) No municipality or local official shall condition any official action, 1829 nor accept any donation in moneys or in kind, from any cannabis 1830 establishment or from an individual or corporation that has applied for 1831 a license to open or operate a cannabis establishment in such 1832 municipality. No municipality may negotiate nor enter into a local host 1833 agreement with a cannabis establishment nor an individual or 1834 corporation that has applied for a license to open or operate a cannabis 1835 establishment in such municipality. 1836 Sec. 28. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2022) (a) Notwithstanding any 1837 provision of the general statutes, the following acts, when performed by 1838 a cannabis retailer or dispensary facility, or employee of a cannabis 1839 retailer or dispensary facility, when acting within the scope of their 1840 employment with such entity, are not unlawful and shall not be an 1841 offense or a basis for seizure or forfeiture of assets: 1842 (1) Possessing, displaying, storing or transporting cannabis or 1843 cannabis products at, to or from a cannabis retail location or dispensary 1844 facility; 1845 (2) Purchasing cannabis or cannabis products from a producer or a 1846 cannabis product manufacturing facility; 1847 (3) Delivering or transferring cannabis or cannabis products to a 1848 laboratory or research program; and 1849 (4) Delivering or selling cannabis or cannabis products to consumers. 1850 (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the following acts, 1851 when performed by a cannabis product manufacturing facility, 1852 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 61 of 108 producer or an employee of a cannabis product manufacturing facility 1853 or producer when acting within the scope of their employment, are not 1854 unlawful and shall not be an offense or a basis for seizure or forfeiture 1855 of assets: 1856 (1) Packaging, processing, transporting, manufacturing, displaying 1857 or possessing cannabis or cannabis products at, to or from a cannabis 1858 product manufacturing facility or producer; 1859 (2) Delivering or transferring cannabis or cannabis products to a 1860 laboratory or research program; 1861 (3) Delivering or selling cannabis or cannabis products to a cannabis 1862 retailer, dispensary facility, producer or cannabis product 1863 manufacturing facility; and 1864 (4) Purchasing cannabis or cannabis products from a producer or a 1865 cannabis product manufacturing facility. 1866 (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the following acts, 1867 when performed by a laboratory or a person who is acting in his or her 1868 capacity as an owner, employee or agent of a laboratory, are not 1869 unlawful and shall not be an offense or a basis for seizure or forfeiture 1870 of assets: 1871 (1) Possessing, cultivating, processing, repackaging, storing, 1872 transporting or displaying cannabis or cannabis products at, to or from 1873 a laboratory; 1874 (2) Receiving cannabis or cannabis products from a cannabis 1875 establishment, laboratory, state or local government, research program 1876 or a private individual; and 1877 (3) Returning cannabis or cannabis products to a cannabis 1878 establishment or research program. 1879 Sec. 29. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2022) No cannabis retailer or 1880 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 62 of 108 dispensary facility shall display cannabis, cannabis products or drug 1881 paraphernalia in a manner that is visible to the general public from a 1882 public right-of-way. 1883 Sec. 30. Section 21a-408t of the general statutes is repealed and the 1884 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2022): 1885 (a) The Commissioner of Consumer Protection may approve a 1886 research program if such research program will (1) be administered or 1887 overseen by (A) a hospital or health care facility licensed by the 1888 Connecticut Department of Public Health pursuant to chapter 368v, (B) 1889 an institution of higher education, as defined in section 10a-55, (C) a 1890 licensed producer or cannabis product manufacturing facility, as 1891 defined in section 1 of this act, [or] (D) a licensed dispensary or (E) a 1892 cannabis retailer, as defined in section 1 of this act, and (2) have 1893 institutional review board oversight and, if the research program 1894 involves the use of animals, have an institutional animal care and use 1895 committee. 1896 [(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, no person 1897 may act as a research program employee or represent that such person 1898 is a licensed research program employee unless such person has 1899 obtained a license from the Commissioner of Consumer Protection 1900 pursuant to this section. 1901 (c) Prior to the effective date of regulations adopted under this 1902 section, the Commissioner of Consumer Protection may issue a 1903 temporary certificate of registration to a research program employee. 1904 The commissioner shall prescribe the standards, procedures and fees for 1905 obtaining a temporary certificate of registration as a research program 1906 employee.] 1907 [(d)] (b) The Commissioner of Consumer Protection shall adopt 1908 regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to (1) provide for the 1909 approval of research programs and licensure of research program 1910 employees, (2) establish standards and procedures for the termination 1911 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 63 of 108 or suspension of a research program, (3) establish standards and 1912 procedures for the revocation, suspension, summary suspension and 1913 nonrenewal of a research program employee license, provided such 1914 standards and procedures are consistent with the provisions of 1915 subsection (c) of section 4-182, (4) establish a (A) fee for research 1916 program review and approval, and (B) license and renewal fee for each 1917 research program employee, provided the aggregate amount of such 1918 fees shall not be less than the amount necessary to cover the direct and 1919 indirect cost of approving research programs and licensing and 1920 regulating research program employees pursuant to the provisions of 1921 this chapter, and (5) establish other licensing, renewal and operational 1922 standards deemed necessary by the commissioner. Such regulations 1923 shall permit research on medical uses of cannabis, provided the research 1924 program meets all other applicable statutory and regulatory 1925 requirements. 1926 [(e)] (c) Any fees collected by the Department of Consumer Protection 1927 under this section shall be paid to the State Treasurer and credited to the 1928 General Fund. 1929 Sec. 31. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2022) (a) Each cannabis establishment, 1930 except for dispensary facilities, shall establish, maintain and comply 1931 with written policies and procedures for the cultivation, processing, 1932 manufacture, security, storage, inventory and distribution of cannabis 1933 and cannabis products, as applicable to the specific license type. Such 1934 policies and procedures shall include methods for identifying, recording 1935 and reporting diversion, theft or loss, and for correcting all errors and 1936 inaccuracies in inventories. Cannabis establishments shall include in 1937 their written policies and procedures, a process for each of the 1938 following, if the establishment engages in such activity: 1939 (1) Handling mandatory and voluntary recalls of cannabis and 1940 cannabis products. Such process shall be adequate to deal with recalls 1941 due to any order of the commissioner and any voluntary action by the 1942 cannabis establishment to remove defective or potentially defective 1943 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 64 of 108 cannabis or cannabis products from the market or any action 1944 undertaken to promote public health and safety by replacing existing 1945 cannabis or cannabis products with improved products or packaging; 1946 (2) Preparing for, protecting against, and handling any crisis that 1947 affects the security or operation of any cannabis establishment facility in 1948 the event of a strike, fire, flood or other natural disaster, or other 1949 situations of local, state or national emergency; 1950 (3) Ensuring that any outdated, damaged, deteriorated, misbranded 1951 or adulterated cannabis or cannabis products are segregated from all 1952 other inventory and destroyed. Such procedure shall provide for written 1953 documentation of the cannabis and cannabis product disposition; and 1954 (4) Ensuring the oldest stock of a cannabis or cannabis product is sold, 1955 delivered or dispensed first. Such procedure may permit deviation from 1956 this requirement, if such deviation is temporary and approved by the 1957 commissioner. 1958 (b) A cannabis establishment shall (1) store all cannabis and cannabis 1959 products in such a manner as to prevent diversion, theft or loss, (2) make 1960 cannabis and cannabis products accessible only to the minimum 1961 number of specifically authorized employees essential for efficient 1962 operation, and (3) return any cannabis and cannabis products to a secure 1963 location at the end of the scheduled business day. 1964 Sec. 32. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2022) (a) If allowed by the 1965 commissioner, qualifying patients registered pursuant to chapter 420f of 1966 the general statutes shall be permitted to purchase cannabis products of 1967 higher potency and in a larger amount than are generally available for 1968 retail purchase, as determined by the c ommissioner. Such 1969 determination, if any, shall be published on the Department of 1970 Consumer Protection's Internet web site. 1971 (b) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, the sale or 1972 delivery of drug paraphernalia to a qualifying patient, primary 1973 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 65 of 108 caregiver or person licensed pursuant to sections 18 to 25, inclusive, of 1974 this act or chapter 420f of the general statutes, shall not be considered a 1975 violation of the provisions of sections 18 to 29, inclusive, of this act, 1976 sections 31 to 35, inclusive, of this act, section 41 of this act, section 21a-1977 243 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, or section 21a-408t of 1978 the general statutes, as amended by this act. 1979 Sec. 33. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2022) (a) Each cannabis establishment 1980 shall maintain all records necessary to fully demonstrate business 1981 transactions related to cannabis and cannabis products for a period 1982 covering the current taxable year and the three immediately preceding 1983 taxable years, all of which shall be made available to the department 1984 pursuant to subsection (c) of this section. 1985 (b) The commissioner may require any licensee to furnish such 1986 information as the commissioner considers necessary for the proper 1987 administration of sections 18 to 29, inclusive, of this act, sections 31 to 1988 35, inclusive, of this act, section 41 of this act, section 21a-243 of the 1989 general statutes, as amended by this act, and section 21a-408t of the 1990 general statutes, as amended by this act, and may require an audit of 1991 any cannabis establishment, the expense thereof to be paid by such 1992 cannabis establishment. 1993 (c) Each person required by sections 18 to 29, inclusive, of this act, 1994 sections 31 to 35, inclusive, of this act, section 41 of this act, section 21a-1995 243 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, and section 21a-408t 1996 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, to prepare, obtain or keep 1997 documents such as records, logs or reports, and each person in charge, 1998 or having custody, of such documents, shall maintain such documents 1999 in an auditable format for not less than three years. Upon request, such 2000 person shall make such documents immediately available for inspection 2001 and copying by the commissioner or others authorized by sections 18 to 2002 29, inclusive, of this act, sections 31 to 35, inclusive, of this act, section 2003 41 of this act, section 21a-243 of the general statutes, as amended by this 2004 act, and section 21a-408t of the general statutes, as amended by this act, 2005 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 66 of 108 to review and obtain copies of such documents. When possible, such 2006 documents shall be provided to the commissioner in electronic format. 2007 In complying with the provisions of this subsection, no person shall use 2008 a foreign language, codes or symbols to designate cannabis or cannabis 2009 product types or persons in the keeping of any required document. 2010 (d) For purposes of the supervision and enforcement of the 2011 provisions of sections 18 to 29, inclusive, of this act, sections 31 to 35, 2012 inclusive, of this act, section 41 of this act, section 21a-408t of the general 2013 statutes, as amended by this act, and section 21a-243 of the general 2014 statutes, as amended by this act, the commissioner is authorized to: 2015 (1) Enter any place, including a vehicle, in which cannabis or cannabis 2016 products are held, sold, produced, delivered, transported, 2017 manufactured or otherwise disposed of; 2018 (2) Inspect a cannabis establishment and all pertinent equipment, 2019 finished and unfinished material, containers and labeling, and all things 2020 in such place, including records, files, financial data, sales data, shipping 2021 data, pricing data, employee data, research, papers, processes, controls 2022 and facilities; and 2023 (3) Inventory any stock of cannabis and cannabis products therein 2024 and obtain samples of any cannabis or cannabis product, any labels or 2025 containers, paraphernalia and of any finished or unfinished material. 2026 Sec. 34. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2022) (a) For sufficient cause found 2027 pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, the commissioner may 2028 suspend, revoke, issue fines of not more than one thousand dollars per 2029 violation, accept an offer in compromise or refuse to grant or renew a 2030 license issued pursuant to sections 18 to 25, inclusive, of this act or place 2031 such licensee on probation, place conditions on such licensee or take 2032 other actions permitted by statute or regulation. 2033 (b) Any of the following shall constitute sufficient cause for such 2034 action by the commissioner. Such list includes, but is not limited to: 2035 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 67 of 108 (1) Furnishing of false or fraudulent information in any application; 2036 (2) A civil judgment against or criminal conviction of a licensee or 2037 applicant, which criminal history shall be reviewed in accordance with 2038 section 46a-80 of the general statutes; 2039 (3) Failure to maintain effective controls against diversion, theft or 2040 loss of cannabis, cannabis products or other controlled substances; 2041 (4) Discipline by, or a pending disciplinary action or an unresolved 2042 complaint regarding any professional license or registration of any 2043 federal, state or local government; 2044 (5) Failure to keep accurate records and to account for the cultivation, 2045 manufacture, packaging or sale of cannabis and cannabis products; 2046 (6) Denial, suspension or revocation of a license or registration, or the 2047 denial of a renewal of a license or registration, by any federal, state or 2048 local government or a foreign jurisdiction; 2049 (7) False, misleading or deceptive representations to the public or the 2050 department; 2051 (8) Return to regular stock of any cannabis or cannabis product 2052 where: 2053 (A) The package or container containing the cannabis or cannabis 2054 product has been opened, breached or tampered with; or 2055 (B) The cannabis or cannabis product has been previously sold to an 2056 end user or research program subject; 2057 (9) Involvement in a fraudulent or deceitful practice or transaction; 2058 (10) Performance of incompetent or negligent work; 2059 (11) Failure to maintain the entire cannabis establishment or 2060 laboratory and contents in a clean, orderly and sanitary condition; 2061 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 68 of 108 (12) Permitting another person to use the licensee's license; 2062 (13) Failure to cooperate or give information to the department, local 2063 law enforcement authorities or any other enforcement agency upon any 2064 matter arising out of conduct at a cannabis establishment or laboratory 2065 or in connection with a research program; or 2066 (14) Failure to comply with any provision of sections 18 to 29, 2067 inclusive, of this act, sections 31 to 35, inclusive, of this act, section 41 of 2068 this act, section 21a-243 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, 2069 or section 21a-408t of the general statutes, as amended by this act. 2070 (c) No person whose application for a license has been denied due to 2071 the applicant's character and fitness may make another application for 2072 a license under the provisions of sections 18 to 25, inclusive, of this act 2073 for at least one year after the date of such denial. 2074 (d) No person whose license has been revoked may apply for a license 2075 under the provisions of sections 18 to 25, inclusive, of this act for a 2076 period of at least one year after the date of such revocation. 2077 (e) If a license is voluntarily surrendered or is not renewed, the 2078 commissioner shall not be prohibited from suspending or revoking such 2079 license or imposing other penalties permitted by sections 18 to 29, 2080 inclusive, of this act, sections 31 to 35, inclusive, of this act, section 41 of 2081 this act, section 21a-243 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, 2082 or section 21a-408t of the general statutes, as amended by this act. 2083 Sec. 35. (NEW) (Effective from passage) The commissioner may adopt 2084 regulations in accordance with chapter 54 of the general statutes, 2085 including emergency regulations pursuant to section 4-168 of the 2086 general statutes, to implement the provisions of sections 18 to 29, 2087 inclusive, of this act, sections 31 to 35, inclusive, of this act, section 41 of 2088 this act, section 21a-243 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, 2089 and section 21a-408t of the general statutes, as amended by this act. 2090 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 69 of 108 Sec. 36. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2022) Not later than January 1, 2023, 2091 the department shall make written recommendations, in accordance 2092 with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the 2093 Governor and the joint standing committees of the General Assembly 2094 having cognizance of matters relating to consumer protection, the 2095 judiciary and finance, revenue and bonding, as to: 2096 (1) Whether to allow consumers or qualifying patients under chapter 2097 420f of the general statutes, who are twenty-one years of age and older, 2098 to cultivate cannabis for personal use. In making such recommendation 2099 the commission shall consider: (A) Reasonable precautions to ensure 2100 that the plants are secure from unauthorized access or access by any 2101 individual under twenty-one years of age; (B) the location where such 2102 cannabis may be grown; (C) how other states allow home growing and 2103 how such states are regulating personal cultivation; (D) if personal 2104 cultivation in other states has improved access for patients and 2105 consumers; and (E) any other related public safety or regulatory issues 2106 the department deems necessary; 2107 (2) Whether to allow on-site consumption, including whether to 2108 establish a cannabis on-site consumption license; and 2109 (3) Whether to permit the establishment of state-run retailers. 2110 Sec. 37. (NEW) (Effective from passage) Not later than January 1, 2021, 2111 the Banking Commissioner shall report to the Governor and the joint 2112 standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of 2113 matters relating to banking, the judiciary and finance, revenue and 2114 bonding, regarding recommended legislation to implement the 2115 provisions of sections 18 to 29, inclusive, of this act, sections 31 to 35, 2116 inclusive, of this act, section 41 of this act, section 21a-243 of the general 2117 statutes, as amended by this act, and section 21a-408t of the general 2118 statutes, as amended by this act, to facilitate the use of electronic 2119 payments by cannabis establishments and consumers and regarding 2120 access to depository banking by cannabis establishments. 2121 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 70 of 108 Sec. 38. (NEW) (Effective from passage) Not later than January 1, 2021, 2122 the Insurance Commissioner shall report to the Governor and the joint 2123 standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of 2124 matters relating to insurance regarding access to insurance by cannabis 2125 establishments. 2126 Sec. 39. (NEW) (Effective from passage) Not later than January 1, 2022, 2127 the Commissioners of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction 2128 Services, Public Health, the State Department of Education, the 2129 Department of Children and Families and the executive director of the 2130 Office of Higher Education shall, in consultation with the presidents of 2131 the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities and The University of 2132 Connecticut, make recommendations to the Governor and the joint 2133 standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of 2134 matters relating to public health, the judiciary and finance, revenue and 2135 bonding regarding efforts to promote public health, mitigate the misuse 2136 of cannabis and the effective treatment of addiction to cannabis with a 2137 particular focus on individuals under twenty-one years of age. 2138 Sec. 40. Subsection (e) of section 21a-243 of the 2020 supplement to 2139 the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 2140 thereof (Effective July 1, 2022): 2141 (e) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) to (d), inclusive, 2142 of this section, not later than [January 1, 2013] July 1, 2022, the 2143 Commissioner of Consumer Protection shall submit amendments to 2144 sections 21a-243-7 and 21a-243-8 of the regulations of Connecticut state 2145 agencies to the standing legislative regulation review committee to 2146 [reclassify] remove marijuana as a controlled substance [in schedule II] 2147 under the Connecticut controlled substance scheduling regulations, 2148 except that for any marijuana product that has been approved by the 2149 federal Food and Drug Administration or successor agency to have a 2150 medical use and that is reclassified in any schedule of controlled 2151 substances or unscheduled by the federal Drug Enforcement 2152 Administration or successor agency, the commissioner shall adopt the 2153 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 71 of 108 schedule designated by the Drug Enforcement Administration or 2154 successor agency. 2155 Sec. 41. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2020) The commissioner shall make a 2156 determination regarding what the equivalent amount of any cannabis 2157 product is to one ounce of cannabis and shall post such determination 2158 on the department's Internet web site. 2159 Sec. 42. Section 19a-342 of the 2020 supplement to the general statutes 2160 is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 2161 October 1, 2020): 2162 (a) As used in this section: [, "smoke"] 2163 (1) "Smoke" or "smoking" means the [lighting or carrying] burning of 2164 a lighted cigarette, cigar, pipe or any other similar device, [.] whether 2165 containing, wholly or in part, tobacco or cannabis; 2166 (2) "Any area" means the interior of the facility, building or 2167 establishment and the outside area within twenty-five feet of any 2168 doorway, operable window or air intake vent of the facility, building or 2169 establishment; and 2170 (3) "Cannabis" means a cannabis-type substance, as defined in section 2171 21a-240. 2172 (b) (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 31-40q, as amended 2173 by this act, no person shall smoke: (A) In any area of a building or 2174 portion of a building, partially enclosed shelter on a rail platform or bus 2175 shelter owned and operated or leased and operated by the state or any 2176 political subdivision thereof; (B) in any area of a health care institution, 2177 including, but not limited to, a psychiatric facility; (C) in any area of a 2178 retail [food store] establishment accessed by the general public; (D) in 2179 any restaurant; (E) in any area of an establishment with a permit issued 2180 for the sale of alcoholic liquor pursuant to section 30-20a, 30-21, 30-21b, 2181 30-22, 30-22c, 30-28, 30-28a, 30-33a, 30-33b, 30-35a, 30-37a, 30-37e or 30-2182 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 72 of 108 37f, in any area of an establishment with a permit for the sale of alcoholic 2183 liquor pursuant to section 30-23 issued after May 1, 2003, and, on and 2184 after April 1, 2004, in any area of an establishment with a permit issued 2185 for the sale of alcoholic liquor pursuant to section 30-22a or 30-26 or the 2186 bar area of a bowling establishment holding a permit pursuant to 2187 subsection (a) of section 30-37c; (F) [within] in any area of a school 2188 building or on the grounds of such school; (G) within a child care facility 2189 or on the grounds of such child care facility, except, if the child care 2190 facility is a family child care home, as defined in section 19a-77, such 2191 smoking is prohibited only when a child enrolled in such home is 2192 present; (H) in any passenger elevator; [, provided no person shall be 2193 arrested for violating this subsection unless there is posted in such 2194 elevator a sign which indicates that smoking is prohibited by state law;] 2195 (I) in any area of a dormitory in any public or private institution of 2196 higher education; [or] (J) [on and after April 1, 2004,] in any area of a 2197 dog race track or a facility equipped with screens for the simulcasting of 2198 off-track betting race programs or jai alai games; or (K) in any room 2199 offered as an accommodation to guests by the operator of a hotel, motel 2200 or similar lodging. For purposes of this subsection, "restaurant" means 2201 space, in a suitable and permanent building, kept, used, maintained, 2202 advertised and held out to the public to be a place where meals are 2203 regularly served to the public, "school" has the same meaning as 2204 provided in section 10-154a and "child care facility" has the same 2205 meaning as provided in section 19a-342a, as amended by this act. 2206 (2) [This section] Subdivision (1) of this subsection shall not apply to 2207 [(A) correctional facilities; (B) designated smoking areas in psychiatric 2208 facilities; (C) public] the following: (A) Public housing projects, as 2209 defined in subsection (b) of section 21a-278a; [(D)] (B) any classroom 2210 where demonstration smoking is taking place as part of a medical or 2211 scientific experiment or lesson; [(E) smoking rooms provided by 2212 employers for employees, pursuant to section 31-40q; (F)] (C) 2213 notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (E) of subdivision (1) 2214 of this subsection, the outdoor portion of the premises of any permittee 2215 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 73 of 108 listed in subparagraph (E) of subdivision (1) of this subsection, 2216 provided, in the case of any seating area maintained for the service of 2217 food, at least seventy-five per cent of the outdoor seating capacity is an 2218 area in which smoking is prohibited and which is clearly designated 2219 with written signage as a nonsmoking area, except that any temporary 2220 seating area established for special events and not used on a regular 2221 basis shall not be subject to the smoking prohibition or signage 2222 requirements of this subparagraph; [(G)] (D) any medical research site 2223 where smoking is integral to the research being conducted; [or (H)] (E) 2224 any tobacco bar or tobacco specialist, provided no tobacco bar shall 2225 expand in size or change its location from its size or location as of 2226 December 31, 2002; or (F) any location licensed for on-site smoking of 2227 cannabis. For purposes of this subdivision, "outdoor" means an area 2228 which has no roof or other ceiling enclosure, "tobacco bar" means an 2229 establishment with a permit for the sale of alcoholic liquor to consumers 2230 issued pursuant to chapter 545 that, in the calendar year ending 2231 December 31, 2002, generated ten per cent or more of its total annual 2232 gross income from the on-site sale of tobacco products and the rental of 2233 on-site humidors, [and] "tobacco product" means any substance that 2234 contains tobacco, including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, pipe 2235 tobacco or chewing tobacco, "tobacco product" does not include 2236 cannabis, and "tobacco specialist" means an establishment engaged in 2237 the sale of tobacco products that generates at least seventy-five per cent 2238 of its annual gross income from the on-site sale of tobacco products and 2239 the rental of on-site humidors. 2240 [(c) The operator of a hotel, motel or similar lodging may allow guests 2241 to smoke in not more than twenty-five per cent of the rooms offered as 2242 accommodations to guests.] 2243 [(d)] (c) In each room, elevator, area or building in which smoking is 2244 prohibited by this section, the person in control of the premises shall 2245 post or cause to be posted in a conspicuous place signs stating that 2246 smoking is prohibited by state law. Such signs, except in elevators, 2247 restaurants, establishments with permits to sell alcoholic liquor to 2248 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 74 of 108 consumers issued pursuant to chapter 545, hotels, motels or similar 2249 lodgings, and health care institutions, shall have letters at least four 2250 inches high with the principal strokes of letters not less than one-half 2251 inch wide. 2252 [(e)] (d) Any person found guilty of smoking in violation of this 2253 section, failure to post signs as required by this section or the 2254 unauthorized removal of such signs shall have committed an infraction. 2255 Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the person in 2256 control of a building to post such signs in every room of [a] the building, 2257 provided such signs are posted in a conspicuous place in [such] the 2258 building. 2259 [(f)] (e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require any 2260 smoking area [in] inside or outside any building or the entryway to any 2261 building or on any property. 2262 [(g) The provisions of this section shall supersede and preempt the 2263 provisions of any municipal law or ordinance relative to smoking 2264 effective prior to, on or after October 1, 1993.] 2265 Sec. 43. Section 19a-342a of the 2020 supplement to the general 2266 statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof 2267 (Effective October 1, 2020): 2268 (a) As used in this section: [and section 2 of public act 15-206:] 2269 (1) "Any area" means the interior of the facility, building or 2270 establishment and the outside area within twenty-five feet of any 2271 doorway, operable window or air intake vent of the facility, building or 2272 establishment; 2273 [(1)] (2) "Child care facility" means a provider of child care services as 2274 defined in section 19a-77, or a person or entity required to be licensed 2275 under section 17a-145; 2276 [(2)] (3) "Electronic nicotine delivery system" [has the same meaning 2277 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 75 of 108 as provided in section 21a-415;] means an electronic device used in the 2278 delivery of nicotine or other substances to a person inhaling from the 2279 device, and includes, but is not limited to, an electronic cigarette, 2280 electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic pipe or electronic hookah 2281 and any related device and any cartridge or other component of such 2282 device, including, but not limited to, electronic cigarette liquid; 2283 (4) "Electronic cannabis delivery system" means an electronic device 2284 that may be used to simulate smoking in the delivery of cannabis to a 2285 person inhaling the device and includes, but is not limited to, an 2286 electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic pipe, 2287 electronic hookah and any related device and any cartridge or other 2288 component of such device; 2289 (5) "Cannabis" means a cannabis-type substance, as defined in section 2290 21a-240; 2291 [(3)] (6) "Liquid nicotine container" means a container that holds a 2292 liquid substance containing nicotine that is sold, marketed or intended 2293 for use in an electronic nicotine delivery system or vapor product, 2294 except "liquid nicotine container" does not include such a container that 2295 is prefilled and sealed by the manufacturer and not intended to be 2296 opened by the consumer; and 2297 [(4)] (7) "Vapor product" [has the same meaning as provided in 2298 section 21a-415] means any product that employs a heating element, 2299 power source, electronic circuit or other electronic, chemical or 2300 mechanical means, regardless of shape or size, to produce a vapor that 2301 may include nicotine or cannabis and is inhaled by the user of such 2302 product. "Vapor product" does not include a medicinal or therapeutic 2303 product that is (A) used by a licensed health care provider to treat a 2304 patient in a health care setting, (B) used by a patient, as prescribed or 2305 directed by a licensed health care provider in any setting, or (C) any 2306 drug or device, as defined in the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, 2307 21 USC 321, as amended from time to time, any combination product, 2308 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 76 of 108 as described in said act, 21 USC 353(g), as amended from time to time, 2309 or any biological product, as defined in 42 USC 262, as amended from 2310 time to time, and 21 CFR 600.3, as amended from time to time, 2311 authorized for sale by the United States Food and Drug Administration. 2312 (b) (1) No person shall use an electronic nicotine or cannabis delivery 2313 system or vapor product: (A) In any area of a building or portion of a 2314 building owned and operated or leased and operated by the state or any 2315 political subdivision thereof; (B) in any area of a health care institution, 2316 including, but not limited to, a psychiatric facility; (C) in any area of a 2317 retail [food store] establishment accessed by the public; (D) in any 2318 restaurant; (E) in any area of an establishment with a permit issued for 2319 the sale of alcoholic liquor pursuant to section 30-20a, 30-21, 30-21b, 30-2320 22, 30-22a, 30-22c, 30-26, 30-28, 30-28a, 30-33a, 30-33b, 30-35a, 30-37a, 30-2321 37e or 30-37f, in any area of establishment with a permit issued for the 2322 sale of alcoholic liquor pursuant to section 30-23 issued after May 1, 2323 2003, or the bar area of a bowling establishment holding a permit 2324 pursuant to subsection (a) of section 30-37c; (F) [within] in any area of a 2325 school building or on the grounds of such school; (G) within a child care 2326 facility or on the grounds of such child care facility, except, if the child 2327 care facility is a family child care home as defined in section 19a-77, such 2328 use is prohibited only when a child enrolled in such home is present; 2329 (H) in any passenger elevator; [, provided no person shall be arrested 2330 for violating this subsection unless there is posted in such elevator a sign 2331 which indicates that such use is prohibited by state law;] (I) in any area 2332 of a dormitory in any public or private institution of higher education; 2333 [or] (J) in any area of a dog race track or a facility equipped with screens 2334 for the simulcasting of off-track betting race programs or jai alai games; 2335 or (K) in any room offered as an accommodation to guests by the 2336 operator of a hotel, motel or similar lodging. For purposes of this 2337 subsection, "restaurant" means space, in a suitable and permanent 2338 building, kept, used, maintained, advertised and held out to the public 2339 to be a place where meals are regularly served to the public, and "school" 2340 has the same meaning as provided in section 10-154a. 2341 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 77 of 108 (2) [This section] Subdivision (1) of this subsection shall not apply to 2342 [(A) correctional facilities; (B) designated smoking areas in psychiatric 2343 facilities; (C) public] the following: (A) Public housing projects, as 2344 defined in subsection (b) of section 21a-278a; [(D)] (B) any classroom 2345 where a demonstration of the use of an electronic nicotine or cannabis 2346 delivery system or vapor product is taking place as part of a medical or 2347 scientific experiment or lesson; [(E)] (C) any medical research site where 2348 the use of an electronic nicotine or cannabis delivery system or vapor 2349 product is integral to the research being conducted; [(F)] (D) 2350 establishments without a permit for the sale of alcoholic liquor that sell 2351 electronic nicotine delivery systems, vapor products or liquid nicotine 2352 containers on-site and allow their customers to use such systems, 2353 products or containers on-site; [(G) smoking rooms provided by 2354 employers for employees, pursuant to section 31-40q; (H)] (E) any 2355 location licensed for on-site use of an electronic cannabis delivery 2356 system; (F) notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (E) of 2357 subdivision (1) of this subsection, the outdoor portion of the premises of 2358 any permittee listed in subparagraph (E) of subdivision (1) of this 2359 subsection, provided, in the case of any seating area maintained for the 2360 service of food, at least seventy-five per cent of the outdoor seating 2361 capacity is an area in which smoking is prohibited and which is clearly 2362 designated with written signage as a nonsmoking area, except that any 2363 temporary seating area established for special events and not used on a 2364 regular basis shall not be subject to the prohibition on the use of an 2365 electronic nicotine or cannabis delivery system or vapor product or the 2366 signage requirements of this subparagraph; or [(I)] (G) any tobacco bar, 2367 provided no tobacco bar shall expand in size or change its location from 2368 its size or location as of October 1, 2015. For purposes of this subdivision, 2369 "outdoor" means an area which has no roof or other ceiling enclosure, 2370 "tobacco bar" means an establishment with a permit for the sale of 2371 alcoholic liquor to consumers issued pursuant to chapter 545 that, in the 2372 calendar year ending December 31, 2015, generated ten per cent or more 2373 of its total annual gross income from the on-site sale of tobacco products 2374 and the rental of on-site humidors, [and] "tobacco product" means any 2375 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 78 of 108 substance that contains tobacco, including, but not limited to, cigarettes, 2376 cigars, pipe tobacco or chewing tobacco, and "tobacco product" does not 2377 include cannabis. 2378 [(c) The operator of a hotel, motel or similar lodging may allow guests 2379 to use an electronic nicotine delivery system or vapor product in not 2380 more than twenty-five per cent of the rooms offered as accommodations 2381 to guests.] 2382 [(d)] (c) In each room, elevator, area or building in which the use of 2383 an electronic nicotine or cannabis delivery system or vapor product is 2384 prohibited by this section, the person in control of the premises shall 2385 post or cause to be posted in a conspicuous place signs stating that such 2386 use is prohibited by state law. Such signs, except in elevators, 2387 restaurants, establishments with permits to sell alcoholic liquor to 2388 consumers issued pursuant to chapter 545, hotels, motels or similar 2389 lodgings, and health care institutions, shall have letters at least four 2390 inches high with the principal strokes of letters not less than one-half 2391 inch wide. 2392 [(e)] (d) Any person found guilty of using an electronic nicotine or 2393 cannabis delivery system or vapor product in violation of this section, 2394 failure to post signs as required by this section or the unauthorized 2395 removal of such signs shall have committed an infraction. Nothing in 2396 this subsection shall be construed to require the person in control of a 2397 building to post such signs in every room of the building, provided such 2398 signs are posted in a conspicuous place in the building. 2399 [(f)] (e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the 2400 designation of any area for the use of electronic nicotine or cannabis 2401 delivery system or vapor product [in] inside or outside any building or 2402 the entryway to any building or on any property. 2403 [(g) The provisions of this section shall supersede and preempt the 2404 provisions of any municipal law or ordinance relative to the use of an 2405 electronic nicotine delivery system or vapor product effective prior to, 2406 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 79 of 108 on or after October 1, 2015.] 2407 Sec. 44. Section 31-40q of the general statutes is repealed and the 2408 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2020): 2409 (a) As used in this section and sections 45 and 46 of this act: 2410 (1) "Person" means one or more individuals, partnerships, 2411 associations, corporations, limited liability companies, business trusts, 2412 legal representatives or any organized group of persons; [.] 2413 (2) "Employer" means a person engaged in business who has 2414 employees, including the state and any political subdivision thereof; [.] 2415 (3) "Employee" means any person engaged in service to an employer 2416 in the business of his employer; [.] 2417 (4) "Business facility" means a structurally enclosed location or 2418 portion thereof at which employees perform services for their employer. 2419 The term "business facility" does not include: (A) Facilities listed in 2420 [subparagraph (A), (C) or (H) of] subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of 2421 section 19a-342, as amended by this act, or subdivision (2) of subsection 2422 (b) of 19a-342a, as amended by this act; (B) any establishment with a 2423 permit for the sale of alcoholic liquor pursuant to section 30-23 issued 2424 on or before May 1, 2003; (C) for any business that is engaged in the 2425 testing or development of tobacco, [or] tobacco products or cannabis, 2426 the areas of such business designated for such testing or development; 2427 or (D) during the period from October 1, 2003, to April 1, 2004, 2428 establishments with a permit issued for the sale of alcoholic liquor 2429 pursuant to section 30-22a or 30-26 or the bar area of a bowling 2430 establishment holding a permit pursuant to subsection (a) of section 30-2431 37c; [.] 2432 (5) ["Smoking"] "Smoke" or "smoking" means the burning of a lighted 2433 cigar, cigarette, pipe or any other [matter or substance which contains 2434 tobacco.] similar device, whether containing, wholly or in part, tobacco 2435 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 80 of 108 or cannabis; 2436 (6) "Cannabis" means a cannabis-type substance, as defined in section 2437 21a-240; 2438 (7) "Electronic nicotine delivery system" means an electronic device 2439 used in the delivery of nicotine or other substances to a person inhaling 2440 from the device, and includes, but is not limited to, an electronic 2441 cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic pipe or 2442 electronic hookah and any related device and any cartridge or other 2443 component of such device, including, but not limited to, electronic 2444 cigarette liquid; 2445 (8) "Electronic cannabis delivery system" means an electronic device 2446 that may be used to simulate smoking in the delivery of cannabis to a 2447 person inhaling the device and includes, but is not limited to, an 2448 electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic pipe, 2449 electronic hookah and any related device and any cartridge or other 2450 component of such device; 2451 (9) "Vapor product" means any product that employs a heating 2452 element, power source, electronic circuit or other electronic, chemical or 2453 mechanical means, regardless of shape or size, to produce a vapor that 2454 may include nicotine or cannabis and is inhaled by the user of such 2455 product. "Vapor product" does not include a medicinal or therapeutic 2456 product that is (A) used by a licensed health care provider to treat a 2457 patient in a health care setting, (B) used by a patient, as prescribed or 2458 directed by a licensed health care provider in any setting, or (C) any 2459 drug or device, as defined in the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, 2460 21 USC 321, as amended from time to time, any combination product, 2461 as described in said act, 21 USC 353(g), as amended from time to time, 2462 or any biological product, as defined in 42 USC 262, as amended from 2463 time to time, and 21 CFR 600.3, as amended from time to time, 2464 authorized for sale by the United States Food and Drug Administration; 2465 and 2466 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 81 of 108 (10) "Any area" means the interior of the facility, building or 2467 establishment and the outside area within twenty-five feet of any 2468 doorway, operable window or air intake vent of the facility, building or 2469 establishment. 2470 [(b) Each employer with fewer than five employees in a business 2471 facility shall establish one or more work areas, sufficient to 2472 accommodate nonsmokers who request to utilize such an area, within 2473 each business facility under his control, where smoking is prohibited. 2474 The employer shall clearly designate the existence and boundaries of 2475 each nonsmoking area by posting signs which can be readily seen by 2476 employees and visitors. In the areas within the business facility where 2477 smoking is permitted, existing physical barriers and ventilation systems 2478 shall be used to the extent practicable to minimize the effect of smoking 2479 in adjacent nonsmoking areas.] 2480 [(c) (1)] (b) Each employer [with five or more employees] shall 2481 prohibit smoking [in] and the use of electronic nicotine and cannabis 2482 delivery systems and vapor products in any area of any business facility 2483 under said employer's control. [, except that an employer may designate 2484 one or more smoking rooms.] 2485 [(2) Each employer that provides a smoking room pursuant to this 2486 subsection shall provide sufficient nonsmoking break rooms for 2487 nonsmoking employees. 2488 (3) Each smoking room designated by an employer pursuant to this 2489 subsection shall meet the following requirements: (A) Air from the 2490 smoking room shall be exhausted directly to the outside by an exhaust 2491 fan, and no air from such room shall be recirculated to other parts of the 2492 building; (B) the employer shall comply with any ventilation standard 2493 adopted by (i) the Commissioner of Labor pursuant to chapter 571, (ii) 2494 the United States Secretary of Labor under the authority of the 2495 Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as from time to time 2496 amended, or (iii) the federal Environmental Protection Agency; (C) such 2497 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 82 of 108 room shall be located in a nonwork area, where no employee, as part of 2498 his or her work responsibilities, is required to enter, except such work 2499 responsibilities shall not include any custodial or maintenance work 2500 carried out in the smoking room when it is unoccupied; and (D) such 2501 room shall be for the use of employees only.] 2502 [(d)] (c) Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit an 2503 employer from designating an entire business facility and the real 2504 property on which the business facility is located as a nonsmoking area. 2505 Sec. 45. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2020) (a) No employer shall be 2506 required to make accommodations for an employee or be required to 2507 allow an employee to: (1) Perform his or her duties while under the 2508 influence of cannabis, or (2) possess, use or otherwise consume cannabis 2509 while performing such duties. 2510 (b) An employer may implement a policy prohibiting the possession, 2511 use or other consumption of cannabis by an employee, except as 2512 provided in section 21a-408p of the general statutes, provided such 2513 policy is: (1) In writing, (2) equally applicable to each employee, and (3) 2514 made available to each employee prior to the enactment of such policy. 2515 The employer shall provide any such written policy in writing to each 2516 prospective employee at the time the employer makes an offer of 2517 employment to the prospective employee. 2518 Sec. 46. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2022) (a) As used in this section, 2519 "screening test" means a test of a person's blood, urine, hair or oral fluid 2520 to detect the general presence of cannabis or THC, and "THC" means 2521 delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. 2522 (b) No employer or agent of any employer shall require, as a 2523 condition of employment, that any employee or prospective employee 2524 refrain from using cannabis outside the course of his or her 2525 employment, or otherwise discriminate against any employee with 2526 respect to compensation, terms, conditions or privileges of employment 2527 for using cannabis outside the course of his or her employment. 2528 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 83 of 108 (c) No employer shall fail to or refuse to hire a prospective employee 2529 because the prospective employee submitted to a screening test and the 2530 results of the screening test indicate the presence of cannabis or THC. 2531 (d) If an employer requires an employee to submit to a screening test 2532 within the first thirty days of employment, the employee shall have the 2533 right to submit to an additional screening test, at his or her own expense, 2534 to rebut the results of the initial screening test. The employer shall accept 2535 and give appropriate consideration to the results of such additional 2536 screening test. 2537 (e) Except as otherwise provided in this section or pursuant to federal 2538 law, it shall be an unlawful discriminatory practice for an employer, 2539 labor organization, employment agency or agent thereof to require a 2540 prospective employee to submit to a screening test as a condition of 2541 employment. 2542 (f) The provisions of subsections (b) to (e), inclusive, of this section 2543 shall not apply to drug testing, conditions of continued employment or 2544 conditions for hiring employees required pursuant to: 2545 (1) Any regulation of the federal Department of Transportation, if 2546 such regulation requires testing of a prospective employee in 2547 accordance with 49 CFR 40 or any regulation of Connecticut state 2548 agencies that adopts a federal regulation for purposes of enforcing the 2549 requirements of such regulation with respect to intrastate commerce; 2550 (2) Any contract entered into between the federal government and an 2551 employer or any grant of financial assistance from the federal 2552 government to an employer that requires drug testing of prospective 2553 employees as a condition of receiving the contract or grant; 2554 (3) Any federal or state statute, regulation or order that requires drug 2555 testing of prospective employees for safety or security purposes; or 2556 (4) Any applicant whose prospective employer is a party to a valid 2557 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 84 of 108 collective bargaining agreement that specifically addresses 2558 preemployment drug testing of such applicant. 2559 (g) If an employer has violated any provision of subsections (b) to (e), 2560 inclusive, of this section, an individual aggrieved by such violation may 2561 bring a civil action for judicial enforcement of such provision in the 2562 superior court for the judicial district where the violation is alleged to 2563 have occurred or where the employer has its principal office. Any 2564 individual who prevails in such civil action shall be awarded reasonable 2565 attorney's fees and costs, to be taxed by the court. 2566 (h) The provisions of subsections (b) to (e), inclusive, of this section 2567 shall not apply if the prospective employee is applying for a position as, 2568 or if a current employee holds a position as: 2569 (1) A firefighter; 2570 (2) An emergency medical technician; 2571 (3) A police officer or peace officer, or in a position with a law 2572 enforcement or investigative function at a state or local agency; 2573 (4) An employee required to operate a motor vehicle, for which 2574 federal or state law requires such employee to submit to screening tests, 2575 including, but not limited to, any position requiring a commercial 2576 driver's license; 2577 (5) The extent that such provisions are inconsistent or otherwise in 2578 conflict with the provisions of an employment contract or collective 2579 bargaining agreement; 2580 (6) To the extent that such provisions are inconsistent or otherwise in 2581 conflict with any provision of federal law; 2582 (7) A position of employment funded by a federal grant; 2583 (8) Any position requiring certification of completion of a course in 2584 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 85 of 108 construction safety and health approved by the United States 2585 Department of Labor's occupational safety and health administration; 2586 (9) Any position requiring the supervision or care of children, 2587 medical patients or vulnerable persons; 2588 (10) Any position with the potential to adversely impact the health or 2589 safety of employees or members of the public, in the determination of 2590 the employer; or 2591 (11) Any position at a nonprofit organization or corporation the 2592 primary purpose of which is to discourage use of cannabis products by 2593 the general public. 2594 Sec. 47. Subparagraph (H) of subdivision (7) of subsection (c) of 2595 section 7-148 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is 2596 substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2020): 2597 (H) (i) Secure the safety of persons in or passing through the 2598 municipality by regulation of shows, processions, parades and music; 2599 (ii) Regulate and prohibit the carrying on within the municipality of 2600 any trade, manufacture, business or profession which is, or may be, so 2601 carried on as to become prejudicial to public health, conducive to fraud 2602 and cheating, or dangerous to, or constituting an unreasonable 2603 annoyance to, those living or owning property in the vicinity; 2604 (iii) Regulate auctions and garage and tag sales; 2605 (iv) Prohibit, restrain, license and regulate the business of peddlers, 2606 auctioneers and junk dealers in a manner not inconsistent with the 2607 general statutes; 2608 (v) Regulate and prohibit swimming or bathing in the public or 2609 exposed places within the municipality; 2610 (vi) Regulate and license the operation of amusement parks and 2611 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 86 of 108 amusement arcades including, but not limited to, the regulation of 2612 mechanical rides and the establishment of the hours of operation; 2613 (vii) Prohibit, restrain, license and regulate all sports, exhibitions, 2614 public amusements and performances and all places where games may 2615 be played; 2616 (viii) Preserve the public peace and good order, prevent and quell 2617 riots and disorderly assemblages and prevent disturbing noises; 2618 (ix) Establish a system to obtain a more accurate registration of births, 2619 marriages and deaths than the system provided by the general statutes 2620 in a manner not inconsistent with the general statutes; 2621 (x) Control insect pests or plant diseases in any manner deemed 2622 appropriate; 2623 (xi) Provide for the health of the inhabitants of the municipality and 2624 do all things necessary or desirable to secure and promote the public 2625 health; 2626 (xii) Regulate the use of streets, sidewalks, highways, public places 2627 and grounds for public and private purposes; 2628 (xiii) Make and enforce police, sanitary or other similar regulations 2629 and protect or promote the peace, safety, good government and welfare 2630 of the municipality and its inhabitants; 2631 (xiv) Regulate, in addition to the requirements under section 7-282b, 2632 the installation, maintenance and operation of any device or equipment 2633 in a residence or place of business which is capable of automatically 2634 calling and relaying recorded emergency messages to any state police 2635 or municipal police or fire department telephone number or which is 2636 capable of automatically calling and relaying recorded emergency 2637 messages or other forms of emergency signals to an intermediate third 2638 party which shall thereafter call and relay such emergency messages to 2639 a state police or municipal police or fire department telephone number. 2640 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 87 of 108 Such regulations may provide for penalties for the transmittal of false 2641 alarms by such devices or equipment; 2642 (xv) Make and enforce regulations for the prevention and 2643 remediation of housing blight, including regulations reducing 2644 assessments and authorizing designated agents of the municipality to 2645 enter property during reasonable hours for the purpose of remediating 2646 blighted conditions, provided such regulations define housing blight 2647 and require such municipality to give written notice of any violation to 2648 the owner and occupant of the property and provide a reasonable 2649 opportunity for the owner and occupant to remediate the blighted 2650 conditions prior to any enforcement action being taken, and further 2651 provided such regulations shall not authorize such municipality or its 2652 designated agents to enter any dwelling house or structure on such 2653 property, and including regulations establishing a duty to maintain 2654 property and specifying standards to determine if there is neglect; 2655 prescribe civil penalties for the violation of such regulations of not less 2656 than ten or more than one hundred dollars for each day that a violation 2657 continues and, if such civil penalties are prescribed, such municipality 2658 shall adopt a citation hearing procedure in accordance with section 7-2659 152c; 2660 (xvi) Regulate, on any property owned by or under the control of the 2661 municipality, any activity deemed to be deleterious to public health, 2662 including the [lighting or carrying] burning of a lighted cigarette, cigar, 2663 pipe or similar device, whether containing, wholly or in part, tobacco or 2664 a cannabis-type substance, as defined in section 21a-240, and the use or 2665 consumption of a cannabis-type substance, including, but not limited to, 2666 electronic cannabis delivery systems, as defined in section 19a-342a, as 2667 amended by this act, or vapor products, as defined in said section, 2668 containing a cannabis-type substance. Municipalities may prohibit the 2669 smoking of cannabis-type substances and the use of electronic cannabis 2670 delivery systems and vapor products containing a cannabis-type 2671 substance in the outdoor sections of a restaurant; 2672 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 88 of 108 Sec. 48. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2020) (a) No institution of higher 2673 education or hotel, motel or similar lodging shall prohibit the legal 2674 consumption of a cannabis-type substance, as defined in section 21a-240 2675 of the general statutes, in any nonpublic area of such institution, hotel, 2676 motel or similar lodging. 2677 (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, 2678 an institution of higher education and hotel, motel and similar lodging 2679 may prohibit the smoking of a cannabis-type substance and the use of 2680 an electronic cannabis delivery system, as defined in section 19a-342a of 2681 the general statutes, as amended by this act, and vapor product, as 2682 defined in said section, containing a cannabis-type substance in any 2683 location of such institution or hotel, motel or similar lodging. 2684 Sec. 49. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2020) (a) No employer shall be 2685 required to make accommodations for an employee or be required to 2686 allow an employee to: (1) Perform his or her duties while under the 2687 influence of a cannabis-type substance, or (2) possess, use or otherwise 2688 consume a cannabis-type substance while performing such duties. 2689 (b) An employer may implement a policy prohibiting the possession, 2690 use or other consumption of a cannabis-type substance by an employee, 2691 except as provided in section 21a-408p of the general statutes, provided 2692 such policy is: (1) In writing, (2) equally applicable to each employee, 2693 and (3) provided to each employee prior to the enactment of such policy. 2694 The employer shall provide any such enacted policy in writing to each 2695 prospective employee at the time an offer of employment is made by the 2696 employer to the prospective employee. An employer shall make 2697 reasonable accommodations for an employee who uses cannabis for 2698 medical purposes pursuant to chapter 420f of the general statutes. 2699 (c) For purposes of this section, "employer" and "employee" have the 2700 same meanings as provided in section 31-40q of the general statutes. 2701 Sec. 50. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2022) (a) As used in this section, (1) 2702 "screening test" means a test of a person's blood, urine, hair or oral fluid 2703 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 89 of 108 to detect the general presence of a controlled substance or any other 2704 drug, and (2) "cannabis" and "THC" have the same meanings as 2705 provided in section 1 of this act. 2706 (b) No employer shall fail to or refuse to hire a prospective employee 2707 because the prospective employee submitted to a screening test and the 2708 results of the screening test indicate the presence of cannabis or THC. 2709 (c) If an employer requires an employee to submit to a screening test 2710 within the first thirty days of employment, the employee shall have the 2711 right to submit to an additional screening test, at his or her own expense, 2712 to rebut the results of the initial screening test. The employer shall accept 2713 and give appropriate consideration to the results of such additional 2714 screening test. 2715 (d) Except as otherwise provided by law, it shall be an unlawful 2716 discriminatory practice for an employer, labor organization, 2717 employment agency or agent thereof to require a prospective employee 2718 to submit to testing for the presence of cannabis or THC in such 2719 prospective employee's system as a condition of employment. 2720 (e) The provisions of subsections (b) to (d), inclusive, of this section 2721 shall not apply if the prospective employee is applying for a position as, 2722 or if a current employee holds a position as: 2723 (1) A firefighter; 2724 (2) An emergency medical technician; 2725 (3) A police officer or peace officer, or in a position with a law 2726 enforcement or investigative function at a state or local agency; or 2727 (4) An employee required to operate a motor vehicle, for which 2728 federal or state law requires such employee to submit to screening tests, 2729 including, but not limited to, any position requiring a commercial 2730 driver's license. 2731 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 90 of 108 (f) The provisions of subsections (b) to (d), inclusive, of this section 2732 shall not apply to: 2733 (1) The extent that said provisions are inconsistent or otherwise in 2734 conflict with the provisions of an employment contract or collective 2735 bargaining agreement; 2736 (2) To the extent that said provisions are inconsistent or otherwise in 2737 conflict with any provision of federal law; 2738 (3) A position of employment funded by a federal grant; 2739 (4) Any position requiring certification of completion of a course in 2740 construction safety and health approved by the United States 2741 Department of Labor's occupational safety and health administration; 2742 (5) Any position requiring the supervision or care of children, 2743 medical patients or vulnerable persons; or 2744 (6) Any position with the potential to adversely impact the health or 2745 safety of employees or members of the public, in the determination of 2746 the employer. 2747 (g) The provisions of subsections (b) to (d), inclusive, of this section 2748 shall not apply to drug testing required pursuant to: 2749 (1) Any regulation promulgated by the federal Department of 2750 Transportation, if such regulation requires testing of a prospective 2751 employee in accordance with 49 CFR 40 or any regulation promulgated 2752 by the Department of Transportation of this state adopting such federal 2753 regulation for purposes of enforcing the requirements of such regulation 2754 with respect to intrastate commerce; 2755 (2) Any contract entered into between the federal government and an 2756 employer or any grant of financial assistance from the federal 2757 government to an employer that requires drug testing of prospective 2758 employees as a condition of receiving the contract or grant; 2759 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 91 of 108 (3) Any federal or state statute, regulation or order that requires drug 2760 testing of prospective employees for safety or security purposes; or 2761 (4) Any applicant whose prospective employer is a party to a valid 2762 collective bargaining agreement that specifically addresses 2763 preemployment drug testing of such applicant. 2764 (h) If an employer has violated any of the provisions of subsection 2765 (b), (c) or (d) of this section, an individual aggrieved by such violation 2766 may bring a civil action for judicial enforcement of such provisions in 2767 the superior court for the judicial district where the violation is alleged 2768 to have occurred or where the employer has its principal office. Any 2769 individual who prevails in such civil action shall be awarded reasonable 2770 attorney's fees and costs, to be taxed by the court. 2771 Sec. 51. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2022) (a) As used in this section and 2772 sections 52 and 53 of this act: 2773 (1) "Cannabis" has the same meaning as provided in section 1 of this 2774 act; 2775 (2) "Cannabis flower" means the flower of a plant of the genus 2776 cannabis that has been harvested, dried and cured, and prior to any 2777 processing whereby the flower material is transformed into a cannabis 2778 product. "Cannabis flower" does not include (A) the leaves or stem of 2779 such plant, or (B) industrial hemp, as defined in 7 USC 5940, as amended 2780 from time to time; 2781 (3) "Cannabis product" has the same meaning as provided in section 2782 1 of this act; 2783 (4) "Cannabis product manufacturing facility" has the same meaning 2784 as provided in section 1 of this act; 2785 (5) "Cannabis retailer" has the same meaning as provided in section 1 2786 of this act; 2787 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 92 of 108 (6) "Cannabis trim" means all parts of a plant of the genus cannabis, 2788 other than cannabis flowers, that have been harvested, dried and cured, 2789 and prior to any processing whereby the plant material is transformed 2790 into a cannabis product. "Cannabis trim" does not include industrial 2791 hemp, as defined in 7 USC 5940, as amended from time to time; 2792 (7) "Consumer" has the same meaning as provided in section 1 of this 2793 act; 2794 (8) "Municipality" has the same meaning as provided in section 1 of 2795 this act; 2796 (9) "Producer" has the same meaning as provided in section 1 of this 2797 act; and 2798 (10) "Wet cannabis" means the whole plant of the genus cannabis that 2799 has been harvested and weighed within two hours of harvesting and 2800 has not undergone any processing such as drying, curing, trimming or 2801 increasing the ambient temperature in the room in which such plant is 2802 held. 2803 (b) (1) Beginning on the first day of the month in which a cannabis 2804 product manufacturing facility may legally operate within the state or a 2805 producer may legally sell cannabis, there is imposed a tax on the 2806 following: 2807 (A) On the first sale to a cannabis retailer in the state of cannabis 2808 flowers, cannabis trim or wet cannabis, at the rate of (i) one dollar and 2809 twenty-five cents per dry-weight gram of cannabis flowers, (ii) fifty 2810 cents per dry-weight gram of cannabis trim, and (iii) twenty-eight cents 2811 per gram of wet cannabis; or 2812 (B) On the first use, by a cannabis product manufacturing facility or 2813 a producer in the manufacture or production of a cannabis product, of 2814 cannabis flowers, cannabis trim or wet cannabis, at the rate of (i) one 2815 dollar and twenty-five cents per dry-weight gram of cannabis flowers, 2816 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 93 of 108 (ii) fifty cents per dry-weight gram of cannabis trim, and (iii) twenty-2817 eight cents per gram of wet cannabis. 2818 (c) On or before the last day of each month, each cannabis product 2819 manufacturing facility and producer shall file with the Commissioner of 2820 Revenue Services a return for the calendar month immediately 2821 preceding. Such returns shall be in such form and contain such 2822 information as the commissioner prescribes, and shall be accompanied 2823 by a payment of the amount of the tax shown to be due thereon. 2824 (d) If any person fails to pay the amount of tax reported due on its 2825 report within the time specified under this section, there shall be 2826 imposed a penalty equal to ten per cent of such amount due and unpaid, 2827 or fifty dollars, whichever is greater. Such amount shall bear interest at 2828 the rate of one per cent per month or fraction thereof, from the due date 2829 of such tax until the date of payment. Subject to the provisions of section 2830 12-3a of the general statutes, the commissioner may waive all or part of 2831 the penalties provided under this section when it is proven to the 2832 commissioner's satisfaction that the failure to pay any tax was due to 2833 reasonable cause and was not intentional or due to neglect. 2834 (e) Each person, other than a cannabis product manufacturing facility 2835 or producer, who is required, on behalf of such facility or producer, to 2836 collect, truthfully account for and pay over a tax imposed on such 2837 facility or producer under this section and who wilfully fails to collect, 2838 truthfully account for and pay over such tax or who wilfully attempts in 2839 any manner to evade or defeat the tax or the payment thereof, shall, in 2840 addition to other penalties provided by law, be liable for a penalty equal 2841 to the total amount of the tax evaded, or not collected, or not accounted 2842 for and paid over, including any penalty or interest attributable to such 2843 wilful failure to collect or truthfully account for and pay over such tax 2844 or such wilful attempt to evade or defeat such tax, provided such 2845 penalty shall only be imposed against such person in the event that such 2846 tax, penalty or interest cannot otherwise be collected from such facility 2847 or producer. The amount of such penalty with respect to which a person 2848 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 94 of 108 may be personally liable under this section shall be collected in 2849 accordance with the provisions of section 12-555a of the general statutes 2850 and any amount so collected shall be allowed as a credit against the 2851 amount of such tax, penalty or interest due and owing from the facility 2852 or producer. The dissolution of the facility or producer shall not 2853 discharge any person in relation to any personal liability under this 2854 section for wilful failure to collect or truthfully account for and pay over 2855 such tax or for a wilful attempt to evade or defeat such tax prior to 2856 dissolution, except as otherwise provided in this section. For purposes 2857 of this section, "person" includes any individual, corporation, limited 2858 liability company or partnership and any officer or employee of any 2859 corporation, including a dissolved corporation, and a member or 2860 employee of any partnership or limited liability company who, as such 2861 officer, employee or member, is under a duty to file a tax return under 2862 this section on behalf of a cannabis product manufacturing facility or 2863 producer or to collect or truthfully account for and pay over a tax 2864 imposed under this section on behalf of such facility or producer. 2865 (f) The provisions of sections 12-551 to 12-554, inclusive, and section 2866 12-555a of the general statutes shall apply to the provisions of this 2867 section in the same manner and with the same force and effect as if the 2868 language of said sections had been incorporated in full into this section 2869 and had expressly referred to the tax under this section, except to the 2870 extent that any provision is inconsistent with a provision in this section. 2871 (g) The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the 2872 provisions of chapter 54 of the general statutes, to implement the 2873 provisions of this section. 2874 (h) At the close of each fiscal year in which the tax imposed under the 2875 provisions of this section are received by the commissioner, the 2876 Comptroller is authorized to record as revenue for such fiscal year the 2877 amounts of such tax that are received by the commissioner not later than 2878 five business days from the July thirty-first immediately following the 2879 end of such fiscal year. 2880 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 95 of 108 Sec. 52. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2022) (a) There is imposed a tax at the 2881 rate of three per cent on the gross receipts from the sale of cannabis and 2882 cannabis products by a cannabis retailer. Such tax shall be in addition to 2883 the tax imposed under section 51 of this act and chapter 219 of the 2884 general statutes. 2885 (b) (1) On or before the last day of each month, each cannabis retailer 2886 shall file with the tax collector of the municipality in which such retailer 2887 is located and the Commissioner of Revenue Services a return reporting 2888 such retailer's gross receipts from the sale of cannabis and cannabis 2889 products during the calendar month immediately preceding and the 2890 amount of the tax imposed under this section shown to be due thereon. 2891 Such returns shall be in such form and contain such information as the 2892 commissioner prescribes. The return filed with the tax collector shall be 2893 accompanied by a payment of the amount of the tax shown to be due 2894 thereon. 2895 (2) The tax reported on such return shall be paid to the tax collector 2896 of the municipality in which the cannabis retailer is located and shall 2897 become part of the general revenue of the municipality. If a cannabis 2898 retailer location is located in contiguous municipalities, such retailer 2899 shall additionally file the return required under subdivision (1) of this 2900 subsection with the tax collector of each such municipality and the tax 2901 due under this section shall be evenly divided between or among the 2902 relevant municipalities. 2903 (c) (1) Whenever the commissioner makes a deficiency assessment for 2904 any taxes payable to the state under chapter 219 of the general statutes, 2905 the commissioner is authorized to make a deficiency assessment for any 2906 taxes payable under this section to a municipality and to hold a hearing, 2907 when requested by any cannabis retailer aggrieved by the action of the 2908 commissioner in fixing the amount of any tax, penalty or interest 2909 provided for by this section on or before the sixtieth day after notice of 2910 such action is delivered or mailed to such person. 2911 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 96 of 108 (2) Any cannabis retailer aggrieved by a final determination of an 2912 assessment under this section may, not later than thirty days after 2913 service of notice upon the cannabis retailer of such determination, take 2914 an appeal therefrom to the superior court for the judicial district of New 2915 Britain in accordance with the provisions of section 12-422 of the general 2916 statutes. 2917 (d) (1) The deficiency assessment for any taxes payable under this 2918 section to a municipality shall bear interest at the rate of one per cent 2919 per month or fraction thereof from the date when the original tax was 2920 due and payable. 2921 (2) When it appears to the commissioner that any part of the 2922 deficiency for which a deficiency assessment is made is due to 2923 negligence or intentional disregard of the provisions of this section, 2924 there shall be imposed a penalty equal to ten per cent of the amount of 2925 such deficiency assessment, or fifty dollars, whichever is greater. 2926 (3) When it appears to the commissioner that any part of the 2927 deficiency for which a deficiency assessment is made is due to fraud or 2928 intent to evade the provisions of this section, there shall be imposed a 2929 penalty equal to twenty-five per cent of the amount of such deficiency 2930 assessment. 2931 (4) No taxpayer shall be subject to more than one penalty under this 2932 section in relation to the same tax period. 2933 (e) (1) Once a deficiency assessment for any taxes payable under this 2934 section to a municipality is no longer the subject of a timely filed 2935 administrative appeal to the commissioner or of a timely filed appeal 2936 pending before any court of competent jurisdiction, the commissioner 2937 may collect, on behalf of such municipality, such taxes, and all penalties 2938 and interest added thereto by law, under the provisions of section 12-35 2939 of the general statutes as if such taxes, penalties or interest due such 2940 municipality were tax due the state, as such term is defined in section 2941 12-35 of the general statutes, and as if such term expressly included 2942 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 97 of 108 taxes, penalties or interest due to such municipality. Such taxes, and all 2943 penalties and interest added thereto by law, shall be treated, for 2944 purposes of subsection (a) of section 12-39g of the general statutes and 2945 subsection (a) of section 12-739 of the general statutes, as if they were 2946 taxes due to the state. 2947 (2) Any tax, penalty and interest collected under the provisions of 2948 subdivision (1) of this subsection shall be paid to such municipality. 2949 (f) Any consumer who purchases cannabis or cannabis products 2950 and who overpays the tax under this section to a cannabis retailer may 2951 submit a claim for refund with the Commissioner of Revenue Services 2952 in accordance with the provisions of section 12-425 of the general 2953 statutes, in such form and manner as the commissioner prescribes. The 2954 commissioner shall notify the relevant tax collector of any amount to be 2955 refunded and such refund shall be issued not later than thirty days after 2956 such notification. No such consumer shall have a cause of action against 2957 a cannabis retailer for the recovery of any such overpayment under any 2958 provision of the general statutes. 2959 Sec. 53. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2022) (a) No exemption set forth in 2960 chapter 219 of the general statutes shall apply to the sale, acceptance or 2961 receipt of cannabis or cannabis products. 2962 (b) No tax credit or credits shall be allowable against the tax imposed 2963 under (1) section 51 or 52 of this act, or (2) chapter 219 of the general 2964 statutes with respect to the sale, acceptance or receipt of cannabis or 2965 cannabis products. 2966 (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 12-425 of the general 2967 statutes, no refunds shall be issued to a cannabis product manufacturing 2968 facility, producer or cannabis retailer by the Commissioner of Revenue 2969 Services or a municipal tax collector with respect to the tax under (1) 2970 section 51 or 52 of this act, or (2) chapter 219 of the general statutes from 2971 the sale, acceptance or receipt of cannabis or cannabis products. If the 2972 commissioner determines that any tax, penalty or interest under section 2973 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 98 of 108 51 or 52 of this act or chapter 219 of the general statutes with respect to 2974 the sale, acceptance or receipt of cannabis or cannabis products has been 2975 unintentionally paid more than once or has been erroneously or illegally 2976 collected or computed, the commissioner may allow such amount to be 2977 used to offset the tax liability of the facility, producer or retailer in future 2978 taxable periods. If the commissioner makes such a determination with 2979 respect to any tax, penalty or interest under section 52 of this act, the 2980 commissioner shall notify the relevant municipal tax collector. 2981 Sec. 54. Subdivision (120) of section 12-412 of the 2020 supplement to 2982 the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 2983 thereof (Effective July 1, 2022): 2984 (120) [On and after April 1, 2015, sales] Sales of the following 2985 nonprescription drugs or medicines available for purchase for use in or 2986 on the body: Vitamin or mineral concentrates; dietary supplements; 2987 natural or herbal drugs or medicines; products intended to be taken for 2988 coughs, cold, asthma or allergies, or antihistamines; laxatives; 2989 antidiarrheal medicines; analgesics; antibiotic, antibacterial, antiviral 2990 and antifungal medicines; antiseptics; astringents; anesthetics; steroidal 2991 medicines; anthelmintics; emetics and antiemetics; antacids; and any 2992 medication prepared to be used in the eyes, ears or nose. 2993 Nonprescription drugs or medicines [shall] do not include cosmetics, 2994 [dentrifrices] dentifrices, mouthwash, shaving and hair care products, 2995 soaps, [or] deodorants or products containing cannabis, as defined in 2996 section 1 of this act, or cannabinoids, other than palliative marijuana 2997 sold under the provisions of chapter 420f. 2998 Sec. 55. (NEW) (Effective from passage) Notwithstanding the provisions 2999 of chapter 228d of the general statutes, revision of 1958, revised to 3000 January 1, 2019, any potential liabilities or outstanding assessments 3001 under said chapter that are (1) for any period prior to July 1, 2022, and 3002 (2) related to the sale, purchase, acquisition or possession within the 3003 state or transport or importation into the state of marijuana, as defined 3004 in section 21a-240 of the general statutes, shall be cancelled. The 3005 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 99 of 108 Commissioner of Revenue Services may take any action necessary to 3006 effectuate the cancellation of such liabilities and assessments. No 3007 cancellation pursuant to this section shall entitle any person affected by 3008 such cancellation to a refund or credit of any amount previously paid or 3009 collected. 3010 Sec. 56. Section 12-650 of the general statutes is repealed and the 3011 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2022): 3012 As used in this chapter: 3013 (1) ["Marijuana" means any marijuana, whether real or counterfeit, as 3014 defined in subdivision (29) of section 21a-240] "Cannabis" means any 3015 cannabis, as defined in section 1 of this act, that is held, possessed, 3016 transported, sold or offered to be sold in violation of any provision of 3017 the general statutes; 3018 (2) "Cannabis concentrate" has the same meaning as provided in 3019 section 1 of this act; 3020 (3) "Cannabis product" has the same meaning as provided in section 3021 1 of this act; 3022 (4) "THC" has the same meaning as provided in section 1 of this act; 3023 [(2)] (5) "Controlled substance" means any controlled substance, as 3024 defined in [subdivision (9) of] section 21a-240, that is held, possessed, 3025 transported, sold or offered to be sold in violation of any provision of 3026 the general statutes; 3027 [(3)] (6) "Dealer" means any person who, in violation of any provision 3028 of the general statutes, manufactures, produces, ships, transports, or 3029 imports into the state or in any manner acquires or possesses more than 3030 forty-two and one-half grams of [marijuana] cannabis or seven or more 3031 grams of any controlled substance or ten or more dosage units of any 3032 controlled substance [which] that is not sold by weight; and 3033 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 100 of 108 [(4)] (7) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Revenue 3034 Services. 3035 Sec. 57. Section 12-651 of the general statutes is repealed and the 3036 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2022): 3037 (a) A tax is imposed on any [marijuana] cannabis or controlled 3038 substances purchased, acquired, transported or imported into the state. 3039 Payment thereof shall be evidenced by [the permanent affixing of 3040 stamps on the marijuana] documentation provided by the commissioner 3041 under subsection (c) of section 12-652, as amended by this act, for any 3042 cannabis or controlled substance [immediately after receipt. Each stamp 3043 or other official indicia] for which tax is due under this chapter. Any 3044 such documentation may be used only once. 3045 (b) (1) The tax imposed pursuant to this section shall be at the 3046 following rates: 3047 [(1)] (A) On each [gram of marijuana or portion of a gram, three 3048 dollars and fifty cents,] ounce of cannabis plant material, four hundred 3049 dollars; 3050 (B) On each milligram of THC contained in a cannabis product, ten 3051 dollars; 3052 (C) On each gram of cannabis concentrate, one hundred dollars; 3053 (D) On each immature plant of the genus cannabis, two hundred 3054 dollars; 3055 (E) On each mature plant of the genus cannabis, one thousand 3056 dollars, but not to exceed four hundred dollars per ounce of cannabis 3057 plant material; and 3058 [(2) on] (F) On each gram of a controlled substance, or portion of a 3059 gram, two hundred dollars or on each fifty dosage units of a controlled 3060 substance that is not sold by weight, or portion thereof, two thousand 3061 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 101 of 108 dollars. 3062 (2) For the purpose of calculating the tax due under this section, an 3063 ounce [of marijuana] or gram of cannabis or other controlled substance 3064 is measured by the weight of the cannabis or substance in the dealer's 3065 possession. 3066 [(c) Any tax imposed pursuant to this section is due and payable 3067 immediately upon acquisition or possession in this state by a dealer.] 3068 Sec. 58. Section 12-652 of the general statutes is repealed and the 3069 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2022): 3070 (a) No dealer may possess any [marijuana] cannabis or controlled 3071 substance upon which a tax is imposed pursuant to section 12-651, as 3072 amended by this act, unless the tax has been paid on the [marijuana] 3073 cannabis or controlled substance as evidenced by [a stamp or other 3074 official indicia] documentation provided by the commissioner under 3075 subsection (c) of this section. 3076 (b) Each dealer shall pay one hundred per cent of the tax due under 3077 section 12-651, as amended by this act, within thirty days prior to the 3078 purchase, acquisition, transportation, importation or possession of 3079 cannabis or a controlled substance within this state. 3080 (c) The commissioner shall provide documentation, in such form and 3081 manner as prescribed by the commissioner, to each dealer who pays 3082 such tax. Such documentation shall be valid for thirty days from the date 3083 of issuance and the dealer may use such documentation as evidence of 3084 payment of such tax. 3085 Sec. 59. Section 12-655 of the general statutes is repealed and the 3086 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2022): 3087 (a) Each dealer shall keep complete and accurate records of all 3088 [marijuana] cannabis or controlled substances on which a tax [is 3089 imposed] has been paid. Such records shall be a kind and in such form 3090 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 102 of 108 as the commissioner may prescribe and shall be preserved for three 3091 years in such manner as to [insure] ensure permanency and accessibility 3092 for inspection by the commissioner or [his] the commissioner's 3093 authorized agents. The commissioner and [his] the commissioner's 3094 authorized agents may examine the books, papers and records of any 3095 dealer for the purpose of determining whether the tax imposed by this 3096 chapter has been paid and may examine any [marijuana] cannabis or 3097 controlled substances upon any premises where such [marijuana] 3098 cannabis or controlled substances are possessed to determine if the 3099 provisions of this chapter are being obeyed. 3100 (b) (1) If, after an examination of the invoices, books and records of a 3101 dealer, or if, from any other information obtained by [him or his] the 3102 commissioner or the commissioner's authorized agents, the 3103 commissioner determines that the dealer has not [purchased sufficient 3104 stamps] paid sufficient tax to cover [his] the dealer's receipts and sales 3105 or other disposition of any [marijuana] cannabis or controlled 3106 substances, [he] the commissioner shall thereupon assess the deficiency 3107 in tax. 3108 (2) There shall be imposed a penalty of ten per cent of the deficiency 3109 or fifty dollars, whichever amount is greater, and interest shall accrue 3110 on the tax at the rate of one per cent per month from the due date of such 3111 tax to the date of payment. In any case where a dealer cannot produce 3112 [evidence of sufficient stamp purchases to cover] documentation 3113 provided by the commissioner under subsection (c) of section 12-652, as 3114 amended by this act, that covers the receipt of any [marijuana] cannabis 3115 or controlled substances, [it shall be presumed] the commissioner shall 3116 presume that such [marijuana] cannabis or controlled substances were 3117 sold without having the proper [stamps affixed] tax paid. If the 3118 commissioner determines that the deficiency or any part thereof is due 3119 to a fraudulent intent to evade the tax, there shall be imposed a penalty 3120 of twenty-five per cent of the deficiency and interest shall accrue on the 3121 tax at the rate of one per cent per month or fraction thereof from the due 3122 date of such tax to the date of payment. Subject to the provisions of 3123 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 103 of 108 section 12-3a, the commissioner may waive all or part of the penalties 3124 provided under this chapter when it is proven to [his] the 3125 commissioner's satisfaction that the failure to pay any tax on time was 3126 due to reasonable cause and was not intentional or due to neglect. 3127 (3) The amount of any tax, penalty or interest due and unpaid under 3128 the provisions of this chapter may be collected under the provisions of 3129 section 12-35. The warrant therein provided for shall be signed by the 3130 commissioner or [his] the commissioner's authorized agent. The amount 3131 of any such tax, penalty and interest shall be a lien, from the last day of 3132 the month next preceding the due date of such tax until discharged by 3133 payment, against all real estate of the taxpayer within the state, and a 3134 certificate of such lien signed by the commissioner may be filed for 3135 record in the office of the clerk of any town in which such real estate is 3136 situated, provided no such lien shall be effective as against any bona 3137 fide purchaser or qualified encumbrancer of any interest in any such 3138 property. When any tax with respect to which a lien has been recorded 3139 under the provisions of this section has been satisfied, the 3140 commissioner, upon request of any interested party, shall issue a 3141 certificate discharging such lien, which certificate shall be recorded in 3142 the same office in which the lien is recorded. Any action for the 3143 foreclosure of such lien shall be brought by the Attorney General in the 3144 name of the state in the superior court for the judicial district in which 3145 the property subject to such lien is situated, or, if such property is 3146 located in two or more judicial districts, in the superior court for any one 3147 such judicial district, and the court may limit the time for redemption or 3148 order the sale of such property or make such other or further decree as 3149 it judges equitable. 3150 (c) Except in the case of a wilfully false or fraudulent intent to evade 3151 the tax, no assessment of additional tax with respect to any return shall 3152 be made after the expiration of more than three years from the date of 3153 the filing of such return or from the original due date of such return, 3154 whichever is later, provided, if no return has been filed as provided in 3155 this chapter, the Commissioner of Revenue Services may determine the 3156 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 104 of 108 amount of tax due from the best information available and assess such 3157 tax together with statutory penalties and interest at any time. If prior to 3158 the expiration of the period prescribed in this section for the assessment 3159 of additional tax, a taxpayer has consented in writing that such period 3160 may be extended, the amount of such additional tax due may be 3161 determined at any time within such extended period. Any such 3162 extended period may be further extended by consent in writing before 3163 the expiration of such extended period. 3164 (d) The provisions of sections 12-553 and 12-554 shall apply to the 3165 provisions of this chapter in the same manner and with the same force 3166 and effect as if the language of said sections had been incorporated in 3167 full into [said] this chapter and had expressly referred to the tax 3168 imposed under [said] this chapter, except to the extent that any such 3169 provision is inconsistent with a provision of [said] this chapter. 3170 Sec. 60. Section 12-656 of the general statutes is repealed and the 3171 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2022): 3172 (a) The commissioner and any agent of the commissioner authorized 3173 to conduct any inquiry, investigation or hearing hereunder shall have 3174 power to administer oaths and take testimony under oath relative to the 3175 matter of inquiry or investigation. 3176 (b) At any hearing ordered by the commissioner, the commissioner 3177 or [his] the commissioner's agent authorized to conduct such hearing 3178 and having authority by law to issue such process may subpoena 3179 witnesses and require the production of books, papers and documents 3180 pertinent to such inquiry. If any person disobeys such process or, having 3181 appeared in obedience thereto, refuses to answer any pertinent question 3182 [put to him by the commissioner or his authorized agent] or to produce 3183 any books and papers pursuant thereto, the commissioner or such agent 3184 may apply to the superior court of the judicial district wherein the 3185 taxpayer resides or wherein the business has been conducted, or to any 3186 judge of said court if the same is not in session, setting forth such 3187 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 105 of 108 disobedience to process or refusal to answer, and said court or such 3188 judge shall cite such person to appear before said court or such judge to 3189 answer such question or to produce such books and papers, and, upon 3190 [his] such person's refusal so to do, shall commit [him] such person to a 3191 community correctional center until he or she testifies, but not for a 3192 longer period than sixty days. Notwithstanding the serving of the term 3193 of such commitment by any person, the commissioner may proceed in 3194 all respects with such inquiry and examination as if the witness had not 3195 previously been called upon to testify. 3196 (c) Officers who serve subpoenas issued by the commissioner or 3197 under [his] the commissioner's authority and witnesses attending 3198 hearings conducted by [him] commissioner hereunder shall receive fees 3199 and compensation at the same rates as officers and witnesses in the 3200 courts of this state, to be paid on vouchers of the commissioner on order 3201 of the Comptroller from the proper appropriation for the administration 3202 of this chapter. 3203 Sec. 61. Section 12-658 of the general statutes is repealed and the 3204 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2022): 3205 The provisions of this chapter shall not be construed to require 3206 persons lawfully in possession of [marijuana] cannabis or a controlled 3207 substance pursuant to any provision of the general statutes to pay the 3208 tax imposed pursuant to section 12-651, as amended by this act. 3209 Sec. 62. Section 12-659 of the general statutes is repealed and the 3210 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2022): 3211 Notwithstanding the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, 3212 as defined in section 1-200, or any other provision of law, the 3213 commissioner shall withhold from disclosure to any person any 3214 information contained in a report or return required under this chapter. 3215 No information contained in such report or return may be used against 3216 the dealer in any criminal proceeding, unless otherwise obtained, except 3217 in connection with a proceeding involving taxes due under this chapter 3218 Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 106 of 108 from the taxpayer making the return. 3219 Sec. 63. Section 12-660 of the 2020 supplement to the general statutes 3220 is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 3221 1, 2022): 3222 (a) Any dealer who violates any provision of [this chapter] section 12-3223 651, as amended by this act, 12-652, as amended by this act, or 12-655, 3224 as amended by this act, shall pay a penalty of one hundred per cent of 3225 the tax in addition to the tax imposed pursuant to section 12-651, as 3226 amended by this act. 3227 (b) In addition to the penalty imposed pursuant to subsection (a) of 3228 this section, any person who violates any provision of [this chapter] 3229 section 12-651, as amended by this act, 12-652, as amended by this act, 3230 or 12-655, as amended by this act, shall be fined not more than ten 3231 thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than six years, or both. 3232 [(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (c) of section 54-3233 193, a person may be prosecuted for a violation of any provision of this 3234 chapter more than five years after such violation.] 3235 Sec. 64. Sections 12-653 and 12-654 of the general statutes are 3236 repealed. (Effective July 1, 2022) 3237 This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: Section 1 from passage New section Sec. 2 July 1, 2020 21a-279(a) Sec. 3 July 1, 2020 21a-279a Sec. 4 July 1, 2020 54-142d Sec. 5 July 1, 2021 New section Sec. 6 July 1, 2022 New section Sec. 7 July 1, 2020 New section Sec. 8 July 1, 2022 New section Sec. 9 July 1, 2020 New section Sec. 10 April 1, 2022 14-227a(b) to (e) Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 107 of 108 Sec. 11 April 1, 2022 14-227b Sec. 12 April 1, 2022 14-227c Sec. 13 April 1, 2022 14-44k(c) Sec. 14 April 1, 2022 14-227n(a)(3) Sec. 15 April 1, 2022 New section Sec. 16 April 1, 2022 15-140q Sec. 17 April 1, 2022 15-140r Sec. 18 from passage New section Sec. 19 from passage New section Sec. 20 July 1, 2022 New section Sec. 21 July 1, 2022 New section Sec. 22 July 1, 2022 New section Sec. 23 July 1, 2022 New section Sec. 24 from passage New section Sec. 25 July 1, 2022 New section Sec. 26 from passage New section Sec. 27 July 1, 2020 New section Sec. 28 July 1, 2022 New section Sec. 29 July 1, 2022 New section Sec. 30 July 1, 2022 21a-408t Sec. 31 July 1, 2022 New section Sec. 32 July 1, 2022 New section Sec. 33 July 1, 2022 New section Sec. 34 July 1, 2022 New section Sec. 35 from passage New section Sec. 36 July 1, 2022 New section Sec. 37 from passage New section Sec. 38 from passage New section Sec. 39 from passage New section Sec. 40 July 1, 2022 21a-243(e) Sec. 41 July 1, 2020 New section Sec. 42 October 1, 2020 19a-342 Sec. 43 October 1, 2020 19a-342a Sec. 44 October 1, 2020 31-40q Sec. 45 July 1, 2020 New section Sec. 46 July 1, 2022 New section Sec. 47 October 1, 2020 7-148(c)(7)(H) Sec. 48 July 1, 2020 New section Sec. 49 July 1, 2020 New section Governor's Bill No. 16 LCO No. 724 108 of 108 Sec. 50 July 1, 2022 New section Sec. 51 July 1, 2022 New section Sec. 52 July 1, 2022 New section Sec. 53 July 1, 2022 New section Sec. 54 July 1, 2022 12-412(120) Sec. 55 from passage New section Sec. 56 July 1, 2022 12-650 Sec. 57 July 1, 2022 12-651 Sec. 58 July 1, 2022 12-652 Sec. 59 July 1, 2022 12-655 Sec. 60 July 1, 2022 12-656 Sec. 61 July 1, 2022 12-658 Sec. 62 July 1, 2022 12-659 Sec. 63 July 1, 2022 12-660 Sec. 64 July 1, 2022 Repealer section Statement of Purpose: To implement the Governor's budget recommendations. [Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.]