Accepting or paying a "finder's fee" for the referral of patients or subjects into a research study is NOT allowed under Texas law and as such should not be a practice of any UTH employee. Under § 102.001 of the Texas Occupations Code, a state employee is guilty of a third degree felony offense if they pay or accept ANY renumeration for soliciting a patient. Anyone else who violates this section of the Texas Occupations Code may face a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per violation.
This does not mean that you cannot refer patients into an appropriate study. However, you may not offer to pay or agree to accept any payment for such referrals. This includes overt and covert payment as well as payment in kind such as bartered goods or services.
If you are approached with such payments or if there is a question as to whether something constitutes an incentive or bonus payment, please contact the CPHS office at 713-500-7943.
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