Prince George's County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Prince George's County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Sprinkler retrofit costs as a barrier for family child care homes
A new bill would strip away special-exception and site-plan hurdles for day care centers and cut their parking requirements, aiming to make childcare easier to open countywide.
Rental License Display and Short-Term Rental Penalties
Council Member Dernoga's bill would require landlords and short-term rental hosts to display their licenses, add advertising rules, and raise penalties on noncompliant short-term rental hosts. The committee held it for now, so changes are still coming.
Surveillance technology oversight (Flock cameras)
The department is switching to a body camera system with instant translation in 50 languages, automatic recording activation and report pre-population — aimed at cutting report times and speeding up investigations and discovery.
Tobacco sales ban at non-gas convenience stores
Two related bills would curb tobacco sales at convenience stores: CB-083 would bar tobacco sales through the zoning ordinance with a transition period, while CB-089, a broader ban with higher penalties, was held indefinitely.
Alzheimer's and Dementia Care Coordination
County agencies are being urged to better coordinate services to support seniors suffering from Alzheimer's disease and related dementias amid rising costs.
One-year moratorium on prisons and corrections facilities in District 4
The county is freezing permits for new prisons and corrections facilities in District 4 for a year while the council figures out how to regulate where these facilities can go. Current zoning bans private prisons but doesn't define them clearly.
Dementia services capacity and coordination
A planned briefing from the Alzheimer's Association, Dementia Friendly Prince George's, and the Department of Family Services on dementia care capacity was rescheduled, delaying the Council's look at services for residents with dementia and their families.
Treatment of deaf and hard-of-hearing residents by police
Rico Dancy of Black Lives Matter for the Deaf urged the council to ensure police comply with ADA requirements for certified interpreters instead of forcing family members to interpret, citing a deaf man's death in a Baltimore jail.
Language access at public hearings
A Spanish-speaking neighbor didn't know she could request a translator and nearly couldn't participate in the Suco Wash case. The board paused the hearing to bring back its certified interpreter rather than let a bystander translate.
Autism Equity Initiative in Prince George's County
A briefing on how widespread dementia is in the county, presented with the Alzheimer's Association and the Department of Family Services. It informs future county services and support for affected families.
Autism Equity Initiative
The adopted resolution launches a countywide autism equity effort with inclusive public infrastructure, better data reporting and an advisory workgroup, backed by about $285,000 initially.
Seniors and Disability Affairs Ombudsman
The council created a dedicated ombudsman within the Department of Family Services to advocate for seniors and disabled residents navigating county services. Council Member Adams, who has a disability, called it a matter of safety and quality of life.