SB 608

Criminal Procedure - U Nonimmigrant Status Petitions

Sponsor: Malcolm Augustine (District 47)Committee: Judicial ProceedingsSubject: Criminal Law - ProceduresStatus: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 114 (as of Dec 1, 2025)

What this bill does

Official synopsis

Altering the requirements for certification of a U Nonimmigrant Status Petition; altering the individuals eligible to request a certain official to certify victim helpfulness relating to certification of a U Nonimmigrant Status Petition; altering the time periods within which a certain certifying entity shall certify or decline a certain form under certain circumstances; and requiring a certifying entity to develop protocols to assist certain petitioners to take certain actions.

AI analysis is off. Set ANTHROPIC_API_KEY to enable summaries, pros and cons, and questions.

Analysis reads the bill text, the fiscal note, and the witness list. It is generated by Claude and reviewed by nobody, so check the source documents before you rely on it.

Testimony (0)

MGA witness list

FAV 16FavorableFWA 2Favorable with amendmentsINFO 2Information only

Position	Witness	Organization	Testimony
FAV	Amador, Ninfa	CASA	Oral
FAV	Zelaya, Michellelobbyist	Maryland Catholic Conference	Written (PDF)
FAV	Zelaya, Michellelobbyist	Maryland Catholic Conference	Written (PDF)
FAV	Jordan, Lisae Clobbyist	Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA)	Written (PDF)
FAV	Jordan, Lisae Clobbyist	Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA)	Written (PDF)
FAV	Rodriguez, Amanda	Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force/ TurnAround, Inc.	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Plante, Cecilia	Maryland Legislative Coalition	Written (PDF)
FAV	Plante, Cecilia	Maryland Legislative Coalition	Written (PDF)
FAV	Ruth, Laure	Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence	Written (PDF)
FAV	Orloff, Leslye	National Immigrant Women's Advocacy Project (NIWAP Inc)	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Rubenstein, Amelia	Prevention of Adolescent Risks Initiative, University of Maryland School of Social Work	Written (PDF)
FAV	Emerson, Jessica	The Human Trafficking Prevention Project	Written (PDF)
FAV	Aron, Sophie	University of Maryland SAFE Center for Survivors of Human Trafficking	Written (PDF)
FAV	OMalley, Catherine	Women's Law Center	Written (PDF)
FAV	Senator Augustine, Senator Augustinelegislator	Individual	Oral
FAV	Senator Augustine, Senator Augustinelegislator	Individual	Oral
FWA	Ruth, Laure	Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence	Written (PDF)
FWA	Kaplowitz, Richard KAP	Year	Written (PDF)
INFO	Jackson, Samiralobbyist	Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors of Maryland	Written (PDF)
INFO	Harris, Mrs.	Individual	Position only

Organizations on record

CASAFAV 1

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors of MarylandINFO 1

Maryland Catholic ConferenceFAV 2

Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA)FAV 2

Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force/ TurnAround, Inc.FAV 1

Maryland Legislative CoalitionFAV 2

Maryland Network Against Domestic ViolenceFAV 1FWA 1

National Immigrant Women's Advocacy Project (NIWAP Inc)FAV 1

Prevention of Adolescent Risks Initiative, University of Maryland School of Social WorkFAV 1

The Human Trafficking Prevention ProjectFAV 1

University of Maryland SAFE Center for Survivors of Human TraffickingFAV 1

Women's Law CenterFAV 1

YearFWA 1

Registered lobbyists who testified

FAVZelaya, MichelleMaryland Catholic ConferenceRegistered for: Maryland Catholic Conference

FAVJordan, Lisae CMaryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA)Registered for: Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault

INFOJackson, SamiraLicensed Clinical Professional Counselors of MarylandRegistered for: Critical Response Group; Dell Technologies Inc.; Empower; Forward Financing; HDR Engineering, Inc.; Maryland Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs…