A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to clarify that completion of T AND U visa verifications is discretionary on the part of local law enforcement and to authorize a fee.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Chapter 64 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Article to read:
"Article 3.
"T and U Visa Verification.
"§ 64‑49.  Authority of certifying agencies.
(a)	Except as otherwise provided by federal law, nothing shall limit a certifying agency's discretion to complete a law enforcement certification for an applicant for a T or U visa.
(b)	As used in this section, the term "certifying agency" means any of the following:
(1)	A sheriff.
(2)	The chief law enforcement officer for a city or county police department.
(3)	A district attorney.
(4)	A superior or district court judge.
(5)	Any other State or local authority having responsibility for the investigation or prosecution of a qualifying crime or criminal activity under section 101(a)(15)(U)(iii) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
(c)	A certifying agency shall charge the applicant the fee established in G.S. 7A‑322 for completion of the certification."
SECTION 2.  Article 28 of Chapter 7A of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 7A‑322.  Uniform fee for completion of law enforcement T and U visa certification.
A certifying agency shall charge an applicant a fee of five dollars ($5.00) for completing a form I‑914 Supplement B or a form I‑918 Supplement B. The term certifying agency is as defined in G.S. 64‑49(b)."
SECTION 3.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2017.