By: Burns, Leach, Canales, Thierry, et al. H.B. No. 3150       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a merchant allowing a person suspected of committing or   attempting to commit theft to complete a theft education program.          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 offering a person who   is suspected of stealing or attempting to steal property from the   merchant an opportunity to complete a theft education program under   Section 124.002 to deter theft and address criminal behavior   instead of reporting the suspected offense to a law enforcement   agency.          (c)  A merchant who offers a person an opportunity to   complete a theft education program shall, in writing:                (1)  notify the person of that opportunity; and                (2)  inform the person of the civil and criminal   remedies available to the merchant and the state, including   informing the person that the merchant retains the right to report   the suspected offense to a law enforcement agency if the person does   not successfully complete the program.          SECTION 2.  Chapter 124, Civil Practice and Remedies Code,   is amended by adding Section 124.002 to read as follows:          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; and                (2)  may reduce or waive the fee for the program based   on the ability to pay of a person described by Subdivision (1).          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.