Sensory-Friendly Hours Proposed At Libraries, Parks In Prince George's Co.

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Libraries, parks and recreation centers across Prince George’s County could offer sensory-friendly hours and spaces under a proposal moving forward before the County Council.

The council’s Public Safety, Health and Human Services Committee voted unanimously Oct. 6 to favorably recommend an amended version of CR-085-2026, a resolution aimed at expanding services and accessibility for residents with autism and their families.

The proposal calls for designated sensory-friendly hours and spaces at public libraries, recreation centers and parks along with autism-inclusive design features such as low-stimulation areas, visual cues and features intended to reduce noise.

Employees also would receive training on autism awareness and neurodiversity inclusion.

The county would launch a pilot sensory-friendly zone at at least one park and one library by fiscal 2027 under the proposal.

The resolution also calls for improving early outreach and helping families navigate available autism services while coordinating with programs already operating in the county, including the Infants & Toddlers Program.

Another component would create an Autism Services Dashboard to provide public reporting about autism-related services and resources.

County lawmakers also would establish an Autism Equity Advisory Workgroup to monitor implementation of the initiative and recommend changes as it moves forward.

Council Member Krystal Oriadha introduced the measure, which also is sponsored by council members Timothy J. Adams, Danielle Hunter, Eric C. Olson and Edward Burroughs III.

The resolution was introduced Sept. 1 before being referred to the Public Safety, Health and Human Services Committee.

During the Oct. 6 committee meeting, members approved amendments to the proposal before recommending it advance to the full council.

Oriadha moved to amend the resolution, with Hunter seconding the motion. Chair Wanika Fisher, Burroughs, Hunter and Oriadha voted in favor. Vice Chair Wala Blegay was absent.

Hunter then moved to favorably recommend the amended resolution, with Oriadha seconding. That vote also passed 4-0.

The Office of Law had identified several technical issues with the original proposal, including language describing the size of the advisory workgroup. The measure said the group would consist of eight members while listing nine membership categories.

County attorneys also recommended narrowing language that would have directed the workgroup to evaluate “county organizations,” instead specifying that it examine county agencies, programs and services related to autism equity.

Representatives from the Prince George’s County Health Department, County Executive’s Office, Office of Law and Prince George’s County Memorial Library System attended the committee meeting.

The proposal is intended to supplement existing autism programs rather than replace them, while focusing on gaps involving early outreach, awareness, access to services and navigation of county resources.

CR-085-2026 remains before the County Council following the committee’s favorable recommendation. The county’s legislative record shows the committee amended the resolution and recommended it with amendments Oct. 6.