1. (a) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally sells or offers to sell on the open market in this state an article or product the person knows was manufactured in whole or in part by an inmate of the department or an inmate in any correctional facility or reformatory institution in this state or in any other state, other than an inmate:

   1. (1) who was on community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision;
   2. (2) employed by an enterprise that has employed the inmate in order to take advantage of the franchise tax credit offered under Subchapter L, Chapter 171, Tax Code, at the time of manufacture; or
   3. (3) participating in a federally certified prison industry enhancement program.
2. (b) An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor.

3. (c) It is an exception to the application of this section that the article or product sold is:

   1. (1) a state flag or similar item produced for sale or distribution by the legislature under Section 301.071; or
   2. (2) a service provided under a contract for which the Private Sector/Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Program operated by the Bureau of Justice Assistance and authorized by 18 U.S.C. Section 1761 does not require certification.
4. (d) It is an exception to the application of this section that the actor was an inmate or state jail defendant confined in a facility operated by or under contract with the department who sold or offered to sell an art or craft in the manner authorized under Section 501.013(b).

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 737, Sec. 3, eff. Aug. 30, 1993.

Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 321, Sec. 1.036, eff. Sept. 1, 1995;

Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1409, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;

Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 377, Sec. 2, eff. May 29, 1999;

Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 21.002(6), eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 752 (H.B. 2839), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2005.

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 618 (H.B. 432), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.

Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 915 (H.B. 3607), Sec. 9.008, eff. September 1, 2021.