Sec. 41.005.  HARM RESULTING FROM CRIMINAL ACT.  (a)  In an action arising from harm resulting from an assault, theft, or other criminal act, a court may not award exemplary damages against a defendant because of the criminal act of another.
(b)  The exemption provided by Subsection (a) does not apply if:
(1)  the criminal act was committed by an employee of the defendant;
(2)  the defendant is criminally responsible as a party to the criminal act under the provisions of Chapter 7, Penal Code;
(3)  the criminal act occurred at a location where, at the time of the criminal act, the defendant was maintaining a common nuisance under the provisions of Chapter 125, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, and had not made reasonable attempts to abate the nuisance;  or
(4)  the criminal act resulted from the defendant's intentional or knowing violation of a statutory duty under Subchapter D, Chapter 92, Property Code, and the criminal act occurred after the statutory deadline for compliance with that duty.
(c)  In an action arising out of a criminal act committed by an employee, the employer may be liable for punitive damages but only if:
(1)  the principal authorized the doing and the manner of the act;
(2)  the agent was unfit and the principal acted with malice in employing or retaining him;
(3)  the agent was employed in a managerial capacity and was acting in the scope of employment;  or
(4)  the employer or a manager of the employer ratified or approved the act.
Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 19, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.