Sec. 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.
Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 707 (H.B. 2129), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2023.