The bill would amend the Government Code to allow an inmate, other than an inmate serving a death sentence, life without parole, or a reportable conviction or adjudication under Chapter 62, Code of Criminal Procedure, to be released on medically recommended intensive supervision (MRIS) if the inmate does not pose a threat to public safety and requires permanent long-term care, has a terminal illness, or a severe and persistent mental illness or intellectual and developmental disability. The bill would extend this provision to allow an inmate who is not a citizen of the United States and who is not under a sentence of death or life without parole to be considered for MRIS.

Some of the bill's provisions are expected to reduce the number of inmates eligible for MRIS and thereby expected to increase demands upon the state's correctional resources due to longer terms of confinement. However, it is assumed that this increase would not significantly impact state correctional agency resources. Few inmates fall under the two MRIS eligibility categories that would be eliminated by the bill (physically handicapped and elderly). In fiscal year 2012, there were a total of 21 inmates presented to the BPP who were physically handicapped (15) and elderly (6). Of the 21 inmates considered for MRIS, only two physically handicapped inmates were approved for release on MRIS in fiscal year 2012.

Some of the bill's provisions are expected to increase the number of inmates eligible for MRIS and thereby expected to decrease demands upon the state's correctional resources due to shorter terms of confinement. However, it is assumed that this decrease would not significantly impact state correctional agency resources. The bill would allow 3g offenders with a severe and persistent mental illness or intellectual and development disability to be considered for MRIS release. In fiscal year 2012, of all the cases presented to the BPP, 13 were mentally ill offenders and none were released. Therefore, it is expected that only a small number of 3g offenders with mental illness or intellectual or developmental disability would be considered for MRIS release. The bill is also not expected to significantly increase the number of inmates who are noncitizens with active detainers released on MRIS since few noncitizens are considered each year.