(a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

(2)    “Administrator” means the Administrator of the Baltimore County detention facilities or the Administrator’s designee.

(3)    “Leave” means authorized time away from a Baltimore County detention facility.

(4)    “Participant” means an inmate in a Baltimore County detention facility who participates in a program under this section.

(b)    This section applies only in Baltimore County.

(c)    (1)    The Administrator may establish and administer a work release program.

(2)    If the Administrator establishes a work release program, the Administrator shall establish:

(i)    eligibility criteria for participation in the program; and

(ii)    for each participant, a work release plan that includes the terms and conditions of the work release and employment.

(d)    (1)    Participation in the work release program is a privilege authorized by court.

(2)    This section does not create a right to participate in the work release program or to remain in the program after the participant has been suspended or removed from the program.

(e)    The Administrator may recommend to a court that an individual participate in the work release program if:

(1)    the individual has applied to participate in the program; and

(2)    the Administrator has approved the application.

(f)    If the Administrator recommends participation in the work release program, a court may authorize an individual to participate in the program:

(1)    when the court imposes a sentence;

(2)    when the court commits an individual to the custody of a Baltimore County detention facility; or

(3)    at any time during the individual’s confinement.

(g)    (1)    The Administrator may suspend or remove a participant from the work release program:

(i)    at any time;

(ii)    without prior approval from the court; and

(iii)    for any reason that the Administrator determines.

(2)    The Administrator shall notify the court within 15 days after the Administrator suspends or removes a participant from the work release program.

(h)    (1)    The Administrator shall collect each participant’s total earnings, less payroll deductions.

(2)    From the participant’s earnings, the Administrator:

(i)    may pay the reasonable cost to the county of providing food, lodging, and clothing for the participant;

(ii)    may make court-ordered payments for dependents;

(iii)    may pay court-ordered costs, fines, and restitution;

(iv)    if ordered by the court, may reimburse the State for the court-appointed counsel; and

(v)    if ordered by the court, may reimburse the State for the services of the public defender.

(3)    Any balance that remains after payments are made under paragraph (2) of this subsection:

(i)    shall be credited to an account held by the Administrator for the participant; and

(ii)    if the Administrator approves, shall be disposed of as requested by the participant.

(4)    Any balance remaining in the participant’s account when the participant is released from the detention facility shall be paid to the participant.

(i)    A participant employed in the community under this section is not an agent or employee of Baltimore County, the Administrator, any judicial officer, or any other public officer of the county or State.

(j)    The Administrator may charge a participant a reasonable fee in an amount not to exceed the actual costs incurred by the county for food, travel, and other expenses related to the participant’s participation in the work release program.

(k)    (1)    The Administrator may establish and administer a home detention program.

(2)    If the Administrator establishes a home detention program, the Administrator:

(i)    shall establish eligibility criteria for participation in the program; and

(ii)    for each participant, shall establish a home detention plan that includes the terms and conditions of the home detention.

(l)    (1)    Participation in the home detention program is a privilege authorized by court.

(2)    This section does not create a right to participate in the home detention program or to remain in the program after the participant has been suspended or removed from the program.

(m)    The Administrator may recommend to a court that an individual participate in the home detention program if:

(1)    the individual has applied to participate in the program;

(2)    except for a violation of the Transportation Article or other traffic law or ordinance for which a penalty of incarceration is not authorized, the individual has no other charges pending in any municipal corporation, county, or state; and

(3)    the Administrator has approved the application.

(n)    If the Administrator recommends participation in the home detention program, a court may authorize an individual to participate in the program:

(1)    after imposing a sentence; or

(2)    at any time during the individual’s confinement.

(o)    (1)    The Administrator may suspend or remove a participant from the home detention program:

(i)    at any time;

(ii)    without prior approval from the court; and

(iii)    for any reason that the Administrator determines.

(2)    The Administrator shall notify the court within 15 days after the Administrator suspends or removes a participant from the home detention program.

(p)    A participant is not eligible for the home detention program if the participant:

(1)    is serving a sentence for a crime of violence; or

(2)    has been found guilty of:

(i)    child abuse under § 3-601 or § 3-602 of the Criminal Law Article; or

(ii)    escape under § 9-404 of the Criminal Law Article.

(q)    The Administrator may charge a reasonable fee for the actual cost of electronic supervision and other administrative costs of the program.

(r)    The Administrator may adopt regulations to carry out this section.