Prohibited actions by certifying agency; certifying agency to develop protocol to assist certain petitioners; report to Legislature regarding certifications

1. A certifying agency shall not: (a) Disclose the immigration status of a petitioner unless such a disclosure is mandated by federal law or court order or the petitioner consents, in writing, to such a disclosure. (b) Withdraw a certification unless the petitioner refuses to provide assistance that was reasonably requested by a law enforcement agency in the investigation or prosecution of the criminal activity described in NRS 217.580. 2. A certifying agency shall develop a protocol to assist petitioners: (a) Who have a limited proficiency in the English language. (b) Who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired. 3. On or before January 1 of each year, each certifying agency that receives a request for a certification pursuant to NRS 217.580 shall submit a report to the Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau for transmittal to the Legislature that sets forth: (a) The number of such requests received by the certifying agency; (b) The number of certifications completed by the certifying agency; (c) The number of certifications denied by the certifying agency; and (d) For each denial of a certification by the certifying agency, the reasons for that denial. 4. Nothing in this section shall be construed to relieve any obligation placed upon a prosecuting attorney or law enforcement official by the Nevada Constitution or the United States Constitution to disclose exculpatory evidence to a defendant.