The Prince George's County Council Health, Human Services and Public Safety Committee voted 4-0 on Draft 2 of CR 1 25 20 25 on a motion to move the resolution favorably to the full council, establishing a domestic violence work group with one year to develop and submit a comprehensive strategic plan.

Vice Chair Fisher, sponsor of the resolution, said the work group is intended to build “a strategy to combat domestic violence” across the county rather than address incidents on a case-by-case basis. Fisher told the committee the group's scope will be broad, noting that “domestic violence is throughout the home. It's child and grandparent. It's, amongst siblings.”

According to staff, the work group will include representatives or designees from the police department, the sheriff's office, the health department, the county’s Department of Housing and Community Development, the Department of Social Services, the county Family Justice Center, the State’s Attorney’s Office, the fire chief, the public school superintendent, a domestic violence and sexual assault center, Community Legal Services of Prince George's County, the Maryland Builders Industry Association, representatives from the county circuit court civil domestic division and additional members added in Draft 2. Legislative staff said the work group has one year to deliver the strategic plan.

Ramon Gonzales, the council’s legislative attorney, read additions in Proposed Draft 2 that expand the membership to include the Prince George's County Department of Housing and Community Development, the University of Maryland Capital Region center, a retailers association representative, the University of Maryland Medical Center’s The Bridge Program, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, the Prince George's County Redevelopment Authority, the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE), the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Southern Management Companies, and the nonprofit House of Ruth (or their designees).

Council member Watson pressed that the work group's mandate explicitly address nonphysical forms of abuse. Watson said, “I just wanna make sure the work group also takes into account the mental, financial abuse imposed by partners,” and the sponsor agreed to add language on financial hardship and related supports to Draft 2.

Sonia Owens, the administration's council liaison, asked the committee for favorable consideration. Denora Hernandez, an attorney with the Office of Law, told the committee that the office had reviewed Proposed Draft 2 and “we find it to be improper legislative form. No legal impediments to its adoption.”

On the floor, Council member Watson moved to favorably recommend Draft 2; Council member Fisher seconded. After brief remarks by members in support, the committee recorded a 4-0 vote in favor. Members then moved to reconsider and voted 4-0 to incorporate the County Executive’s amendment into Draft 2 before forwarding the item.

The resolution requires the work group to issue a report on domestic violence prevention and response in Prince George’s County within one year. The committee adjourned after completing its final meeting of the legislative year.

Next steps: the committee will forward the approved Draft 2 of CR 1 25 20 25, as amended to include the County Executive’s amendment and the additional members, to the full County Council for further consideration.