86R1307 JCG-F
 
  By: Miles S.B. No. 183
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a defense to prosecution for the criminal offense of
  theft of service.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 31.04, Penal Code, is amended by adding
  Subsection (h) to read as follows:
         (h)  It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (a)(3)
  that the written rental agreement described by that subsection is a
  rental-purchase agreement. For purposes of this subsection,
  "rental-purchase agreement" means an agreement under which an
  individual may use personal property for personal, family, or
  household purposes for an initial rental period and that:
               (1)  is automatically renewable with each payment after
  the initial rental period; and
               (2)  permits the individual to become the owner of the
  property.
         SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies to an
  offense committed before, on, or after the effective date of this
  Act. However, a final conviction for an offense under Section
  31.04, Penal Code, that exists on the effective date of this Act
  remains unaffected by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.