§11–930.

    (a)    In this part the following words have the meanings indicated.

    (b)    “Certifying entity” means:

        (1)    a State or local law enforcement agency;

        (2)    a State’s Attorney or deputy or assistant State’s Attorney;

        (3)    any other authority that has responsibility for the detection, investigation, or prosecution of a qualifying crime or criminal activity; or

        (4)    an agency that has criminal detection or investigative jurisdiction in the agency’s respective areas of expertise, including child protective services, the Commission on Civil Rights, and the Maryland Department of Labor.

    (c)    “Certifying official” means:

        (1)    the head of a certifying entity;

        (2)    an individual in a supervisory role who has been specifically designated by the head of a certifying entity to provide U Nonimmigrant Status certifications on behalf of that entity; or

        (3)    any other certifying official defined under Title 8, § 214.14(a)(3)(i) of the Code of Federal Regulations.

    (d)    “Qualifying crime” includes a criminal offense for which the nature and elements of the offense are substantially similar to the criminal activity described in subsection (e) of this section and the attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit the offense.

    (e)    “Qualifying criminal activity” means criminal activity under § 1101(a)(15)(U)(iii) of the United States Code.