(a) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, the Commissioner may place an inmate in a center if the inmate:
(1) is a resident of:
(i) the county in which the center is located; or
(ii) for a regional center, one of the counties in the region;
(2) has:
(i) less than 6 months remaining on a sentence;
(ii) less than 6 months remaining until a determined parole date; or
(iii) a sentence of 3 years or less; and
(3) has been screened by a center staff member and approved by the center director as provided under subsection (b) of this section.
(b) (1) A center staff member shall screen an inmate for placement in a center.
(2) After a review of the screening data, the center director may approve a placement based on screening standards that are established by the community advisory board, the center director, and the Commissioner.
(3) The screening standards shall include a presentence investigation report if available and a complete record of previous convictions.
(c) (1) This subsection applies only to Cecil County.
(2) The Commissioner may place an inmate in a center operated by Cecil County if the inmate:
(i) has been committed by the court to the custody of the Commissioner;
(ii) is a legal resident of Cecil County;
(iii) has:
1. less than 6 months remaining on a sentence;
2. less than 6 months remaining until a determined parole date; or
3. a sentence of 3 years or less; and
(iv) has been screened by a center staff member and approved by the center director in accordance with subsection (b) of this section.
(3) The court may recommend that an inmate be placed in a center.