(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.