HB 579 Maryland House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

Criminal Procedure - U Nonimmigrant Status Petitions and Immigration Enforcement at Sensitive Locations

HB 579 modifies Maryland's certification process for U Nonimmigrant Status visas (U visas), which help victims of certain crimes access legal immigration status. The bill expands who can certify victim helpfulness to include agencies like child protective services, adult protective services, and the Commission on Civil Rights (not just police). It requires certifying officials to provide specific details about the crime and victim's cooperation when completing Form I-918, Supplement B. This directly affects crime victims seeking U visas and the state agencies that issue these certifications. The bill aligns Maryland's process with federal U visa guidelines to streamline eligibility verification.

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Governor

Introduced Jan 23, 2025 Last action Apr 7, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Criminal Procedure – U Nonimmigrant Status Petitions → Third - Criminal Procedure - U Nonimmigrant Status Petitions and Immigration Enforcement at Sensitive Locations · 5 edits

MODERATE

HB 579 was amended to expand its scope from solely addressing U Nonimmigrant Status petitions to also include federal immigration enforcement actions at sensitive locations. The bill now requires federal law enforcement officers to notify specific individuals at sensitive locations about immigration actions, adds new definitions for sensitive locations, and updates the list of eligible entities for victim certification. Several sponsors were added to the bill, and the committee report indicates the bill was adopted with amendments.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include immigration enforcement at sensitive locations in addition to U Nonimmigrant Status petitions, and new definitions were added to clarify what constitutes a sensitive location and who must be notified.

ENFORCEMENT

Added requirements for federal law enforcement officers to notify specific individuals at sensitive locations about federal immigration enforcement actions.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'federal law enforcement officer' and expanded the definition of 'certifying entity' to include additional authorities.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirements for the Attorney General to develop and publish guidance relating to federal immigration enforcement actions at sensitive locations.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified the list of individuals eligible to request victim helpfulness certification to include additional categories such as victim advocates and other representatives.

TECHNICAL

Added new sections to the State Government Article to define sensitive locations and establish notification requirements.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 19, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 26, 2025

How they voted

31–12

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 46

Mar 19, 2025

D Democratic33

30 Yea 3

90% Yea

R Republican13

1 Yea 12 Nay

92% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Conference Committee Report {

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate Conference Committee Appointed (Senators Smith, Love and McKay)

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

House Conference Committee Appointed (Delegates Moon, Embry and Valentine)

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Introduced

House Refuses Concur Senate Amendments

upper

Apr 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

House Conference Committee Appointed (Delegates Moon, Embry and Valentine)

lower

Apr 5, 2025

Introduced

House Refuses Concur Senate Amendments

lower

Apr 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Apr 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Judicial Proceedings

upper

Mar 26, 2025

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (122-14-3)

house of delegates

Mar 19, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (31-12-3)

senate

Mar 17, 2025

Committee

Referred Judicial Proceedings

upper

Mar 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 14, 2025

Lower · Passed

Motion Special Order until 03/15 (Delegate Clippinger) Adopted

lower

Mar 14, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 14, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Judiciary

lower

Jan 23, 2025

Committee

First Reading Judiciary

lower

13 primary · 0 co-sponsors