(a) A person commits the offense of theft of motor fuel if the person knowingly operates an automobile or other related vehicle after placing motor fuel in the automobile or other related vehicle at a:
(1) Service station, filling station, garage, or other business where motor fuel is offered for sale at retail, so as to cause the automobile or other related vehicle to leave the premises of the service station, filling station, gasoline station, garage, or any other business where motor fuel is offered for sale at retail, with the intent of depriving the owner of the motor fuel and not making payment for the motor fuel; or
(2) Location owned by a political subdivision or nonprofit entity whether or not the motor fuel is offered for sale at retail, so as to cause the automobile or other related vehicle to leave the premises of the political subdivision or nonprofit entity, with the intent of depriving the owner of the motor fuel and not making payment for the motor fuel.
(b) Theft of motor fuel is a Class A misdemeanor.
(c) (1) (A) In addition to a penalty in subsection (b) of this section, a person who pleads guilty or nolo contendere to or is found guilty of theft of motor fuel shall have his or her driver's license suspended by the court for a period of not more than six (6) months.
(B) However, if the person's driver's license has previously been suspended for theft of motor fuel, the court shall suspend the person's driver's license for not less than one (1) year.
(2) (A) The court shall immediately take possession of any suspended driver's license and forward it to the Office of Driver Services.
(B) The office shall notify the licensee of the suspension and of an opportunity to request a hearing to determine if a restricted permit should be issued during the time of suspension.
(d) Any service station, filling station, garage, or other location where motor fuel is offered for sale at retail shall prominently display on each face of a retail product dispenser a sign that contains the following: "THEFT OF MOTOR FUEL IS A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR AND CARRIES A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF ONE (1) YEAR IN JAIL, $1000 FINE, AND A ONE (1) YEAR SUSPENSION OF YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE."
(e) As used in this section:
(1) "Nonprofit entity" means an organization that is exempt from income tax under 26 U.S.C. ยง 501(a); and
(2) "Political subdivision" means an agency, department, or other governing body of the state.
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