1. (a)

   1. (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
   2. (2) “Evidence-based programs and practices” has the meaning stated in § 6-119 of this article.
   3. (3) “Gender-responsive services” means evidence-based programs and practices that address the needs of eligible individuals regarding their therapeutic, educational, and vocational goals, life skills, psychological development, socialization, culture, exposure to trauma, and life experiences, to reduce criminogenic risks and support successful reentry, recovery, and recidivism reduction.
   4. (4) “Innovative programs and practices” has the meaning stated in § 6-119 of this article.
2. (b) The Commissioner shall make evidence-based, trauma-informed, and gender-responsive services available to eligible individuals at the prerelease facility for women required under § 3-302 of this subtitle.

3. (c) The comprehensive rehabilitative prerelease services shall utilize evidence-based, trauma-informed, and gender-responsive programs and practices and innovative programs and practices to:

   1. (1) assist female incarcerated individuals in improving their education, upgrading vocational skills, and obtaining suitable employment through classes to earn industry certification or community college credits, workforce training, and job placement;
   2. (2) provide female incarcerated individuals with the opportunity to strengthen family and community relationships through extended family leave, parenting workshops, and family reunification assistance;
   3. (3) provide integrative and gender-responsive services, including medical treatment, trauma-informed counseling, mental health treatment, and substance use disorder treatment to address overall health and trauma needs and help female incarcerated individuals achieve stable and productive roles in society;
   4. (4) develop individualized and comprehensive reentry plans involving community provider partnerships for female incarcerated individuals to reduce barriers to obtaining housing, jobs, education, health care, childcare and child welfare, transportation, legal advocacy, case management, and other needs; and
   5. (5) screen female incarcerated individuals for eligibility for public benefits and provide relevant applications and assistance completing each application prior to release as part of a reentry plan.
4. (d) Incarcerated individuals assigned to the facility required under § 3-302 of this subtitle may not be transported to another facility to receive comprehensive rehabilitative prerelease services.

Added as Correctional Services § 3-303 by Acts 1999, c. 54, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 1999. Amended by Acts 2021, c. 16, § 1, eff. March 13, 2021; Acts 2023, c. 721, § 3, eff. Oct. 1, 2023. Renumbered as Correctional Services § 3-305 and amended by Acts 2026, c. 876, § 1, eff. May 31, 2026.