{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-state-government-9-3303","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, State Government § 9–3303","heading":"","body":"Subject to the availability of funding, the Office shall:\n(1) establish a network of neighborhood–based opportunity centers that provide immigration services to immigrants;\n(2) increase access to ESOL programs, including by engaging nonprofit organizations and other qualified providers of ESOL programs;\n(3) assist immigrants in matters relating to immigration status, including assisting with the naturalization process and applications for deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA);\n(4) connect immigrants to:\n(i) business resources that use the immigrants’ skills;\n(ii) employment referral programs; and\n(iii) other workforce development programs;\n(5) develop and leverage immigrants’ skills to benefit the immigrants’ communities and the State;\n(6) strengthen the connection between immigrants and the immigrants’ communities through civic engagement;\n(7) reduce exploitation of immigrants;\n(8) establish a toll–free, multilingual hotline and a website for purposes including:\n(i) disseminating information about the programs and services offered by the Office;\n(ii) referring for services; and\n(iii) receiving complaints relating to fraud and other related crimes against immigrants;\n(9) ensure that individuals referred by the Office are directed to persons who are:\n(i) in compliance with Title 14, Subtitle 33 of the Commercial Law Article; or\n(ii) authorized by the federal Office of Legal Access Programs;\n(10) using information developed by the Office through the hotline established under this section, assist law enforcement in combating crimes against immigrants;\n(11) advise the Governor and Director concerning matters affecting immigrants in the State in order to promote and encourage the full participation of immigrants in the State’s civic and economic life;\n(12) coordinate with other State agencies and otherwise use the resources of the State to serve the needs of immigrants; and\n(13) encourage and assist local governments in the development of activities to enhance civic engagement among immigrants and in immigrant communities.","path":["Article - State Government"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gsg\u0026section=9-3303","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T20:00:58Z","sha256":"b395385e17b48a89edfd5ab86cde2ccb974f4fc28782f098d25ee001b487a945","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-state-government-9-3302","next":"us-md/md.-code-state-government-9-3304"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}