(a)
In the case of any inmate who gave birth to a child after the date of sentencing, and in the case of any inmate who gave birth to a child prior to that date and meets the requirements of Section 3417 but has not yet made application for admission to a program, the department shall, at the earliest possible date, but in no case later than the birth of the child, or the receipt of the inmate to the custody of the Department of Corrections, as the case may be, notify the inmate of the provisions of this chapter and provide her with a written application for the program described in this chapter.
(b)
The notice provided by the department shall contain, but need not be limited to, guidelines for qualification for, and the timeframe for application to, the program and the process for appealing a denial of admittance.