Bill inspired by Zoey Harrison, 3-year-old killed in District Heights
On Tuesday, June 17, Council Vice Chair Krystal Oriadha (District 7) is set to introduce a bill, known as Zoey’s Law, to reform police pursuit policies in Prince George’s County. Prior to Tuesday’s Council Meeting, she will host a press conference alongside the family of three-year-old Zoey Harrison, who was killed in District Heights during a police chase in March 2025.
The press conference will take place at noon on Tuesday in the Council Press Room on the first floor of the Wayne K. Curry Administration Building, 1301 McCormick Dr., Largo, MD, 20774.
Zoey’s Law, CB-61-2025, seeks to improve public safety, reduce unnecessary harm, and restore trust in law enforcement practices by setting clear guidelines for when police officers should engage in a pursuit, or when they should rely on other methods for safely making arrests. The bill also mandates administrative oversight and requires transparent annual reporting.
“This legislation is about saving lives,” said Vice Chair Oriadha. “Police pursuits are inherently dangerous—not only for officers and suspects but for innocent bystanders. We have a duty to ensure that the decision to engage in a pursuit is guided by sound judgment, best practices, and accountability.”
Under the bill, pursuits will be limited to cases involving felonies, violent misdemeanors, or situations where a suspect poses an imminent threat to others. It also creates a Pursuit Review Board to investigate all pursuit-related crashes and systemic issues.
“With Zoey’s Law, we’re not only addressing policy gaps, we’re also honoring a life lost by taking meaningful steps to prevent the same heartbreak from happening again,” said Oriadha. “Too often, families are left grieving for loved ones lost to preventable tragedies.”
