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) only if the inmate has a terminal illness diagnosed by a physician and does not pose a threat to public safety. The bill's provisions remove certain inmates who require long-term care or who are elderly, physically disabled, mentally ill, or mentally retarded from eligibility for consideration for MRIS.

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. In fiscal year 2012, 23 inmates were approved for MRIS release for reasons other than terminal illness.