(a) The commissioner may establish a furlough program for inmates committed to his or her custody for a felony offense. The program may provide that selected inmates be permitted to reside outside an institution operated by the division pursuant to legislative rules promulgated pursuant to §29A-3-1 et seq. of this code.
(b) The commissioner, or his or her designee, is authorized to propose rules for legislative authorization, pursuant to §29A-3-1 et seq. of this code, or policy directives, promulgated by the commissioner, a furlough program for pretrial and misdemeanant inmates under his or her control and custody in accordance with the following provisions:
(1) The program may include, but is not limited to, granting furloughs or special escorts for specified inmates under the commissioner’s control and custody to attend funerals or make hospital visits to terminally ill family members.