(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the Division of Correction shall grant a conditional release from confinement to an inmate who:
(1) is serving a term of confinement of more than 18 months;
(2) was sentenced on or after July 2, 1970, to the jurisdiction of the Division of Correction; and
(3) has served the term or terms, less diminution credit awarded under Title 3, Subtitle 7 and Title 11, Subtitle 5 of this article.
(b) An inmate convicted of a violent crime committed on or after October 1, 2009, is not eligible for a conditional release under this section until after the inmate becomes eligible for parole under § 7–301(c) or (d) of this title.