Division 7. Office of Public Safety Communications
Codified through Bill No. CB-018-2026, adopted May 12, 2026, effective July 24, 2026. Source: Municode, Supplement 2026 Update 2. Editorial notes and legislative history omitted.
Division 7. Office of Public Safety Communications
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 6-145 (2026)
Sec. 6-145. Office of Public Safety CommunicationsLinkCopy Citation
Pursuant to the Charter, within the Office of Homeland Security, there shall be an Office of Public Safety Communication responsible for the management of an integrated public safety and emergency communication system.
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 6-145.1 (2026)
Sec. 6-145.1. DefinitionsLinkCopy Citation
In this Division the following words and terms shall have the following meanings:
(a)
Department means the Prince George's County Office of Public Safety Communication.
(b)
First Responder means an individual dispatched to assist a member of the public through a 9-1-1 system subject to Section 6-148. It includes an individual who provides the Police Department, Fire/EMS, Mobile Crisis Response, Sheriff Department, and Municipalities with information about another individual regarding certain behaviors, diagnoses, or traits of individuals with special needs.
(c)
9-1-1 Specialist means an employee of a County public safety answering point whose duties and responsibilities include: receiving and processing 911 requests for emergency services or dispatching law enforcement officers, fire rescue services, emergency medical services, and other public safety services to the scene of an emergency.
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 6-146 (2026)
Sec. 6-146. EstablishedLinkCopy Citation
(a)
The Department shall maintain an Emergency 9-1-1 Voluntary Call Registry that enables an adult, parent, or guardian of a minor child, or individual with guardianship of the person to provide information to the Department via the registry to alert First Responder(s) encountering a registered individual that the individual:
(1)
May exhibit certain behaviors, including that the individual may be:
(A)
Nonspeaking or the user of a communication device,
(B)
Sensitive to loud sounds,
(C)
Sensitive to bright lights,
(D)
Sensitive to touch,
(E)
Delayed with response times,
(F)
Prone to avoid eye contact,
(G)
Unaware of danger, or
(H)
Prone to wander or elope, or
(2)
Has one or more of the following diagnoses or traits:
(A)
Blind or low vision;
(B)
Deaf or hard of hearing;
(C)
Wheelchair user;
(D)
Alzheimer's or dementia;
(E)
Autism;
(F)
Mental health disability;
(G)
Intellectual disability;
(H)
Physical disability; or
(I)
Developmental disability.
(b)
Participation in the Emergency 9-1-1 Voluntary Call Registry program under this Division does not create a private cause of action.
(c)
The Department shall provide information to the public about the program and inform the public about how to register for the program.
(1)
A registrant may opt-into the program at any time.
(2)
Annual notifications will be sent to all active registrants on October 1st, November 1st, and December 1st for the purpose of confirming continued participation.
(3)
Any registrant that fails to confirm continued participation on or before December 31st of each year, shall be automatically deleted from the registry as of January 1st.
(4)
It is the responsibility of the registrant to ensure the information provided in the registry is up to date and accurate.
(5)
One residential address is required to participate in the registry.
(6)
The Department shall provide information to the public about how to opt out of the program.
(d)
Any adult, parent, guardian of a minor child, or individual with guardianship of the person who provides information for the registry shall use the form provided by the Department, certify to the accuracy of the information provided, and agree to notify the Department of any changes using the form provided by the Department.
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 6-147 (2026)
Sec. 6-147. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Provision for the Emergency 9-1-1 Voluntary Call RegistryLinkCopy Citation
Participation in the Emergency 9-1-1 Voluntary Call Registry is entirely voluntary and requires the authorization of the registrant to provide health information about an individual with certain behaviors, diagnoses, or traits of special needs.
All information provided by registrants for inclusion in the 9-1-1 registry shall be treated as confidential and protected health information (PHI) under HIPAA regulations. The information stored in the registry shall only be accessed and utilized for the purpose of providing timely and appropriate emergency medical care or assistance during emergency situations. Any other use or disclosure of this information is strictly prohibited except as otherwise required by law. By participating in the registry, registrants acknowledge and consent to the collection and use of the health information provided as outlined in this provision, in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 6-148 (2026)
Sec. 6-148. ExceptionsLinkCopy Citation
The Office of Public Safety Communication is not responsible for the management of an integrated public safety and emergency communication system for the following entities with jurisdiction within the County:
(a)
Maryland State Police;
(b)
Maryland Park Police;
(c)
Bladensburg;
(d)
Bowie;
(e)
Greenbelt;
(f)
Hyattsville;
(g)
Laurel; or
(h)
Riverdale Park.