St. Mary's County - Corrections

HB 485 modifies St. Mary’s County’s correctional programs by adding new options like home detention, day reporting, work release, and in-patient treatment programs. It removes the requirement for the sheriff to collect inmate earnings from these programs and instead allows the sheriff to require participants to provide proof of payments toward child support, restitution, or court-ordered fees. The bill directly affects individuals in St. Mary’s County participating in these correctional programs, giving the sheriff authority to verify payment of financial obligations. It becomes effective October 1, 2025, and updates existing law without changing eligibility rules for program participation.