(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.