Sec. 502.001. WARNING SIGN ABOUT IDENTITY THEFT FOR RESTAURANT OR BAR EMPLOYEES. (a) In this section:

(1) "Credit card" means an identification card, plate, coupon, book, or number or any other device authorizing a designated person or bearer to obtain property or service on credit.

(2) "Debit card" means an identification card, plate, coupon, book, or number or any other device authorizing a designated person or bearer to communicate a request to an unmanned teller machine or a customer convenience terminal or to obtain property or services by debit to an account at a financial institution.

(b) This section applies only to a restaurant or bar that accepts credit cards or debit cards from customers in the ordinary course of business.

(c) A restaurant or bar owner shall display in a prominent place on the premises of the restaurant or bar a sign stating in letters at least one-half inch high: "UNDER SECTION 32.51, PENAL CODE, IT IS A STATE JAIL FELONY (PUNISHABLE BY CONFINEMENT IN A STATE JAIL FOR NOT MORE THAN TWO YEARS) TO OBTAIN, POSSESS, TRANSFER, OR USE A CUSTOMER'S DEBIT CARD OR CREDIT CARD NUMBER WITHOUT THE CUSTOMER'S CONSENT OR EFFECTIVE CONSENT."

(d) The restaurant or bar owner shall display the sign in English and in another language spoken by a substantial portion of the employees of the restaurant or bar as their familiar language.

(e) A restaurant or bar owner who fails to comply with this section commits an offense. An offense under this subsection is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $25.

(f) It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (e) that the restaurant or bar owner charged with the offense produces to the court satisfactory evidence that the person displayed the sign required by Subsection (c) not later than 48 hours after the person received a citation for an offense under Subsection (e). If the court is satisfied with the evidence produced by the person, the court shall dismiss the charge.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 885 (H.B. 2278), Sec. 2.01, eff. April 1, 2009.

Amended by:

Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 319 (H.B. 2697), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2019.