PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PARTNERS WITH TARAJI P. HENSON’S FOUNDATION TO OPEN NEW COMMUNITY CENTER FOCUSED ON MENTAL HEALTH
      Prince George’s County and the Boris L. Henson Foundation, founded by actress and mental health advocate Taraji P. Henson, are partnering on a $30 million Healing Arts Integrative Wellness Hub in Temple Hills. The county will renovate the Temple Hills Community Center, transforming it into a state-of the-art facility that will integrate creative arts, wellness practices, and evidence-based mental health services in a culturally responsible environment. The Boris L. Henson Foundation will oversee programming, providing offerings like hip hop therapy, arts, and yoga. The center, which residents can use free of charge, will also focus on combatting social isolation among senior citizens. Under CR-101-2025, the county moved $30 million from the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s budget for this initiative. Construction is expected to begin in 2026.
“We must take action to combat the rising stress, trauma, and hopelessness in our communities, especially as our economy and residents continue to be hurt by decisions at the federal level,” said Council Chair Edward Burroughs III (District 8). “We deeply feel we have a responsibility and a duty to respond. I am so grateful to the Boris L. Henson Foundation for its commitment to bringing positive change to Prince George’s County, and to our County Executive Aisha Braveboy for her vision, leadership, and commitment to making this idea a reality.”
The announcement was made at the close of the Boris L. Henson’s Foundation’s Can We Talk? Wellness Summit at National Harbor. Vice Chair Krystal Oriadha (District 7) and Council Members Wala Blegay (District 6) and Wanika Fisher (District 2) also attended. Watch the announcement HERE.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PROPOSE PAIR OF HOMEBUYER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
  In an effort to make homebuying more affordable and accessible in Prince George’s County, the Council introduced two bills on Tuesday, October 14, to assist teachers, first responders, and anyone looking to purchase a home inside the Beltway. Chair Edward Burroughs III (District 8) proposed CB-99-2025, which would establish the Critical Workforce Homebuying Assistance Program within the Housing Investment Trust Fund. The Program would be available to first responders who work for the county or Prince George’s County Public School teachers who have a household income of less than 120% of the area median income. Eligible applicants would receive interest-free loans of up to the lesser of $50,000 or 25% of the home’s purchase price. The home would have to be the applicant’s primary residence and only home in the county. The goal of the program is to ensure county workers critical to the education and safety of county residents are able to purchase homes in the community they serve. Vice Chair Krystal Oriadha (District 7) proposed CB-101-2025, which would establish the Homeownership Equity Program, a program that would initially by funded with $2 million and administered by the Prince George’s County Department of Housing and Community Development. County residents with an income of less than 120% of the area median income would be eligible for an interest-free loan of up to $30,000 to be used for downpayment assistance on a home in the county inside the Capital Beltway. The term would be deferred for five years and forgiven at 20% per year, meaning it would be fully forgiven after five years if the home remains the owner’s primary residence.
COUNCIL INTRODUCES RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WORKGROUP
 Additionally, on Tuesday, Council Member Wanika Fisher (District 2) proposed CR-125-2025, a resolution that would form a Domestic Violence Workgroup, aiming to reduce domestic violence and enhance support for victims in Prince George’s County. In 2024, nearly 20% of the homicides in the county were domestic killings, according to Prince George’s County Police. The 16-member Domestic Violence Workgroup would be charged with examining the causes, current response practices, and gaps in assistance for victims, while proposing strategies and recommendations to improve domestic violence prevention and response efforts within the county. The group would be made up of representatives from the Prince George’s County Police Department, Fire/EMS Department, Sheriff’s Office, Department of Health, Department of Social Services, the State’s Attorney’s Office, Prince George’s County Public Schools, the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center, and several other agencies and nonprofits. After a year, the workgroup would be required to present a final report of its findings and recommendations to the County Council and County Executive.
HHSPS COMMITTEE FAVORABLY RECOMMENDS ZOEY’S LAW TO REDUCE POLICE PURSUITS
  A bill introduced by Vice Chair Krystal Oriadha (District 7) following three tragic deaths connected to police chases in the county earlier this year is moving forward. On Thursday, October 16, the Health, Human Services, and Public Safety Committee favorably recommended CB-61-2025, also known as Zoey’s Law, named after Zoey Harrison, a 3-year-old from District Heights killed during a police pursuit. The bill aims to reform the police chase policy for all law enforcement agencies in the county. According to the proposed legislation, police officers would be barred from pursuing suspects in high-speed chases unless they are believed to have committed a felony or violent misdemeanor, or if they are considered to be an imminent threat to others. The goal is to encourage officers to use safer, deferred enforcement methods for making arrests. The proposed legislation would also establish a Pursuit Review Board to investigate all police chases and would require the police department to submit an annual report to the Council.
PHED COMMITTEE ADVANCES BILL TO PROTECT RENTERS FROM UNFAIR AND DECEPTIVE LANDLORD PRACTICES
  Aiming to crackdown on deceptive or unfair landlord practices, Chair Edward Burroughs III (District 8) proposed CB-48-2025, a bill that was favorably recommended by the Planning, Housing, and Economic Development Committee on Thursday, October 16. The consumer protection bill expands the county code to include new “unlawful practices” for landlords, including failure to correct substandard living conditions, failure to maintain essential services, misleading advertising of amenities, unwarranted fees, and persistent housing violations.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FAVORABLY RECOMMENDS FORMERLY INCARCERATED WORKFORCE BILL
 A bill promoting the hiring of formerly incarcerated residents, to help them re-enter the workforce, moved closer to enactment on Tuesday, October 14. The Committee of the Whole favorably recommended the bill, CB-96-2025, which was drafted by Council Member Calvin Hawkins, II (At-Large). The proposed legislation would require 5% of hours worked on any new construction or public works, roadway maintenance, or property maintenance contract or procurement with a county agency be completed by one or more returning citizens. The bill will be scheduled for a public hearing and final vote in the coming weeks.
BILL TO ESTABLISH YEAR-ROUND UNDERSERVED YOUTH JOBS PROGRAM MOVES FORWARD
  Aiming to improve socioeconomic outcomes for teens and young adults from low-income households, Council Member Calvin Hawkins, II (At-Large) has proposed expanding the county’s Summer Youth Employment Program into a year-round employment program for underserved youth, offering jobs at county agencies or through partnerships with private companies. On Thursday, October 16, the Education and Workforce Development Committee favorably recommended CB-89-2025. If approved, the Council would request $1 million from the state to fund and operate the program.
BILL TO ROLLBACK PIT BULL BAN CLEARS TIEE COMMITTEE WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION
   A bill to repeal the county’s nearly 30-year ban on pit bull ownership is moving forward. On Tuesday, October 14, CB-97-2025 moved through the Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy, and Environment Committee without a formal recommendation, allowing the full Council to weigh in on the proposal. The bill was introduced by Chair Edward Burroughs III (District 8) and would institute a pilot program allowing residents to adopt or foster pit bulls from Prince George’s County Animal Control. The bill outlines a strict set of guidelines residents adopting or fostering pit bulls would be required to follow, including applying for a permit, completing a pet parenting class, and agreeing to reasonable compliance inspections of the dog’s living conditions by Animal Control officers. All pit bulls would also be required to be spayed or neutered. Several animal advocates, including local vet Corinne Woodson and Cait Conroy, the executive director of the Prince George’s Pet Unity Project, testified at Tuesday’s Committee meeting in support of the pilot program.
The proposed legislation also outlines new guidelines for what is considered a “dangerous” dog, across all breeds, and what steps Animal Control should take when a dog is determined to be “dangerous.”
“This bill actually strengthens our protections for our residents against dangerous dogs,” said Chair Burroughs. “This bill actually adds accountability, it increases the amount of accountability, because it increases the civil penalty and expands the requirements and definition of what a dangerous dog is. It ensures accountability for irresponsible dog owners, regardless of the breed, and it also prevents us from inhumanely killing so many dogs that are not a threat whatsoever.”
Currently, Prince George’s County is the only jurisdiction in the region with a pit bull ban, spending around $3 million a year to enforce it.
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 COUNCIL HONORS FOUR WITH PROCLAMATIONS
Prior to its meeting on Tuesday, October 14, the Council presented four proclamations, honoring exceptional community members.
Dr. Janice Briscoe was honored for her retirement from Prince George’s County Public Schools after 40 years of service.
 Dr. Marcia Levi, founder of Optimal Care Chiropractic in Laurel, was recognized as part of National Chiropractic Health Month.
 Terence Matthews, a member of several philanthropic and mentorship groups, including Kappa Alpha Psi and the 100 Black Men of Prince George’s County, was honored for his positive impact in the community.
 Walkiria Pool, the president and founder of Centro de Apoyo Familiar, received a proclamation during Hispanic Heritage Month in recognition of her work and leadership in the Latino community.
 Congratulations to all of the honorees and thank you for your hard work!
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