85R8622 MEW-D
By: Birdwell S.B. No. 1110
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to allowing a person suspected of committing or attempting
to commit theft to complete an education program offered by a
merchant.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 124.001, Civil Practice and Remedies
Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 124.001. DETENTION. (a) A person who reasonably
believes that another has stolen or is attempting to steal property
is privileged to detain that person in a reasonable manner and for a
reasonable time to investigate ownership of the property.
(b) A person who is in the business of selling goods or
services as a merchant is not precluded from:
(1) offering a person who is suspected of stealing or
attempting to steal property from the merchant an opportunity to
complete the merchant's education program instead of reporting the
suspected offense to a law enforcement agency;
(2) informing the other person of the civil and
criminal remedies available to the merchant and the state; and
(3) reducing or waiving a fee for the education
program based on the other person's ability to pay.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.