(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.

Attorney's Note

Under the Texas Codes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
State jail felonybetween 180 days and 2 yearsup to $10,000
For details, see Texas Penal Code § 12.35

Terms Used In Texas Business and Commerce Code 502.001

  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Person: includes corporation, organization, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, and any other legal entity. See Texas Government Code 311.005
  • Property: means real and personal property. See Texas Government Code 311.005

(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.