Patient and primary caregiver registration

(a) A qualifying patient for whom a physician has issued a written certification, and the qualifying patient’s primary caregiver where applicable, shall register with the department on forms, and in a manner, prescribed by the commissioner. For a registration application to be considered complete, the following items shall be submitted: (1) Written certification issued by a physician who meets the requirements set forth in the Act and section 21a-408-2 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies; (2) Proof of residency of the qualifying patient acceptable to the department; (3) Proof of identity of the qualifying patient acceptable to the department; (4) Proof of the qualifying patient’s age acceptable to the department; (5) A photograph of the qualifying patient meeting the following requirements: (A) A current, digital, passport-size image, taken no more than thirty calendar days before the submission of the application; (B) Taken against a plain white or off-white background or backdrop; (C) At least two inches by two inches in size; (D) In natural color; (E) Provides a front, unobstructed view of the full face; (F) Has between one and one and three-eighths inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head; and (G) Is in “jpeg” format or such other format as the department may authorize; (6) A caregiver form, if applicable; (7) Proof of identity of the caregiver in a manner acceptable to the department; (8) Proof of the primary caregiver’s age acceptable to the department; (9) A photograph of the caregiver meeting the requirements set forth in subsection (a)(5) of this section; (10) Permission for the department to determine whether the patient is an inmate confined in a correctional institution or facility under the supervision of the Department of Correction; (11) Permission for the department to conduct a background check of the primary caregiver for the purpose of determining if such applicant has been convicted of a violation of any law pertaining to the illegal manufacture, sale or distribution of a controlled substance; (12) Payment of the appropriate fees as set forth in section 21a-408-28 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies; (13) The name, address and telephone number of the dispensary facility from which the qualifying patient or the patient’s primary caregiver will purchase marijuana; and (14) Such other information as the department may reasonably require to determine the applicant’s suitability for registration or to protect public health and safety. (b) If a registration application is determined to be inaccurate or incomplete, the department shall send the applicant a notice of deficiency. If the applicant corrects the deficiencies sixty days or less after receiving notice from the department, the department shall not charge any additional fees. (c) The department shall deny an application if an applicant submits corrections or supplies the missing information more than sixty days after receiving a notice of deficiency from the department, or if the applicant fails to provide correct and complete information on their second attempt. Any such applicant may resubmit the registration application materials with all applicable fees for a new registration. (d) A qualifying patient shall only designate, and the department shall only register, one primary caregiver for the patient at any given time. (e) Absent permission from the commissioner for good cause shown, a qualifying patient may only change primary caregivers once per year at the time of renewal. A qualifying patient may change primary caregivers at the time of their registration renewal by requesting a different primary caregiver, who shall meet the requirements of the Act and this section, and be approved by the commissioner prior to the patient’s registration certificate being renewed. If the qualifying patient requests permission to change primary caregiver prior to renewal, the qualifying patient shall submit a change of caregiver request form to the department, which shall set forth the reasons the qualifying patient seeks to change primary caregivers. If the department approves such change of primary caregiver request, the new primary caregiver shall register with the department and shall submit the non-refundable primary caregiver application fee required by section 21a-408-28 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. The department shall approve a new primary caregiver only if such person meets the requirements of the Act and this section. (f) A qualifying patient who lacked legal capacity at the time of the most recent application or renewal may not change primary caregivers unless: (1) The qualifying patient provides a court order, or other proof acceptable to the department, indicating that the qualifying patient no longer lacks legal capacity, in which case the qualifying patient may change caregivers in accordance with subsection (e) of this section; or (2) The primary caregiver is no longer willing or able to serve as a caregiver, in which case the qualifying patient’s new primary caregiver applicant shall: (A) Certify to the department that the current primary caregiver can no longer serve or no longer wishes to serve as a caregiver; and (B) Submit an application and registration fee that meets the requirements of the Act and this section .