Victims and Witnesses - U Nonimmigrant Status - Certification of Victim Helpfulness

SB 553 amends Maryland law to streamline the process for victims (or their parents/guardians) seeking U Nonimmigrant Status certification. It shortens the deadline for certifying victim helpfulness from 90 to 30 days (and to 7 days if a victim faces deportation), requires certifying entities to provide specific documentation about the crime and victim’s cooperation, and mandates protocols to assist non-English speakers. The bill directly affects victims of qualifying crimes (like trafficking or domestic violence) who need certification to apply for U visas, which allow temporary legal status in the U.S. It also clarifies that victims are presumed helpful unless they refuse reasonable law enforcement requests.