COUNCIL ADOPTS RESOLUTION, INTRODUCES BILL TARGETING IMPROVED COMMUNITY HEALTH
 
The Council is taking steps to improve public health across the county. On Tuesday, July 1, Council Members voted to adopt CR-54-2025, a resolution proposed by Vice Chair Krystal Oriadha (District 7) directing the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and the Prince George’s County Health Department to work together to create a Health Atlas. The Health Atlas will outline prior land use decisions and current public health data to better inform future legislation and development in the county. The resolution also directs the County Health Officer to use the Health Atlas to investigate the public health impact of convenience, tobacco, and liquor stores on their surrounding communities, and identify any health disparities that can be correlated to or caused by proximity to these businesses. The Health Officer is required to submit findings and recommendations to the Council by the end of next June.
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 Additionally, on Tuesday, Council Member Wala Blegay (District 6) introduced a bill proposing a new countywide initiative that will use food-based interventions as part of a comprehensive healthcare approach to reduce chronic disease, address food insecurity, and improve long-term health outcomes for residents. CB-67-2025, known as the ‘Food as Medicine Health Program Act of 2025’, is modeled on national best practices and would encourage the county’s Department of Health to collaborate with healthcare providers, food banks, local farmers, and community-based organizations. The Health Department would administer grants, coordinate delivery of medically supportive meals, and issue produce prescriptions for individuals with diet-related conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease.
“This legislation is rooted in a simple truth: what we eat matters. We must move toward a future where our healthcare system doesn’t just treat illness, but helps prevent it. Through this program, we are recognizing the healing power of nutritious, natural foods and supporting a system that prioritizes health equity for all Prince Georgians,” said Council Member Blegay.
EWD COMMITTEE ADVANCES SCHOOL OVERDOSE READINESS RESOLUTION
In an effort to ensure lifesaving measures are on hand in all Prince George’s County Public Schools for students suffering from an overdose, Council Member Calvin Hawkins, II (At-Large) introduced a resolution calling for an audit of the school system’s overdose readiness plans. The resolution, CR-76-2025, was favorably recommended by the Education and Workforce Development Committee on Monday, June 30. The resolution calls on the school board and PGCPS to begin the process of auditing all public schools to ensure compliance with state and local overdose preparedness requirements -- including the availability of overdose reversal medication, like naloxone -- and immediately begin rectifying any deficiencies. The Maryland Department of Health estimates that in 2023, there were 2,513 overdoses statewide. The audit would begin by the start of the upcoming school year and would be completed by the end of January. At that time, the school system would be required to submit a summary to the Council.
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CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR JOIN COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ANNOUNCE NEW FIRE CHIEF
  Prince George’s County Fire and EMS has a new chief. On Monday, June 30, Chair Edward Burroughs III (District 8) and Vice Chair Krystal Oriadha (District 7) joined County Executive Aisha Braveboy for a press conference announcing the appointment of Thelmetria “Meme” Michaelides. This comes after Chief Tiffany Green announced her retirement on Friday, June 27, after 27 years of service and 5 years leading PGFD. Green will become the county’s new assistant deputy chief administrative officer for Public Safety and Homeland Security. Chief Michaelides rejoins PGFD after initially retiring in 2013 following a 26-year career, rising through the ranks from dispatcher to battalion commander. She was the first woman and first African American female bomb technician in both Prince George’s County and the state of Maryland.
“On behalf of the County Council, we are so excited for your leadership, Chief. We know that you are a consensus builder, a problem solver, and we cannot wait to support you in this next journey,” Chair Burroughs said during Monday’s announcement.
NEW PLANNING BOARD CHAIR RECEIVES PRELIMINARY APPROVAL
 The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Board is one step closer to having a new Chair. On Tuesday, July 1, the Committee of the Whole favorably recommended the approval of Darryl Barnes in a unanimous vote. Barnes served in the Maryland House of Delegates from 2015 to 2023 and is a former Chair of Maryland’s Legislative Black Caucus. He is also the President of both Barnes International and Bi-County Business Roundtable. Barnes is set to replace current Planning Board Chair Peter Shapiro. Barnes’ final approval by the Council is set for July 8, and his term would run until 2029.
PHED COMMITTEE FAVORABLY RECOMMENDS OPIOID TREATMENT BILL
  A bill to bring additional facilities to the county to treat patients with opioid use disorder is moving forward following a favorable recommendation from the Planning, Housing, and Economic Development Committee on Thursday, July 3. Proposed by Council Members Tom Dernoga (District 1) and Jolene Ivey (At-Large), CB-27-2025 would amend zoning regulations to make it easier to open state-licensed medical clinics in the county. Currently, according to the Prince George’s County Health Department, there is only one opioid treatment center in the county, located in Laurel, despite Prince George’s County ranking third highest in the state for opioid overdose deaths. According to the bill, nearly 5,000 Prince Georgians over the age of 15 are in need of treatment for opioid use disorder.
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