Section 124.002 - Theft Education Program(a) A theft education program for a person who is suspected of stealing or attempting to steal property under Section 124.001 must: (1) address the type of alleged criminal offense; (2) seek to modify the person's behavioral decision-making process; (3) engage the person with interactive exercises designed to instill appropriate societal behavior; and (4) promote accountability and reconciliation between the person and the merchant. (b) A provider of a theft education program may not discriminate against a person who is otherwise eligible to participate in the program based on: (1) the person's race, color, religion, sex, familial status, or national origin; or (2) the person's ability to pay. (c) A program provider that charges a fee for participation in a theft education program: (1) shall develop a plan to offer discounts, alternative payment schedules, or scholarship funds to a person who the provider has verified is indigent; (2) may reduce or waive the fee for the program based on the ability to pay of a person described by Subdivision (1); and (3) may not compensate a merchant who offers a person the opportunity to complete the program. (d) A person may not be required to make an admission of guilt to participate in a theft education program. (e) Notwithstanding any other law, a person who successfully completes a theft education program under this section may not be subject to any additional civil penalties under any other provision of law. Tex. Civ. Prac. and Rem. Code § 124.002
Added by Acts 2023, Texas Acts of the 88th Leg.- Regular Session, ch. 707,Sec. 3, eff. 9/1/2023. See Acts 2023, Texas Acts of the 88th Leg.- Regular Session, ch. 707, Sec. 1.