Texas Occupations Code 165.155 – Solicitation of Patients; Penalty
Current as of: 2024 | Check for updates
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(a) A physician commits an offense if the physician employs or agrees to employ, pays or promises to pay, or rewards or promises to reward any person, firm, association, partnership, or corporation for securing or soliciting a patient or patronage.
(b) Each payment, reward, or fee or agreement to pay or accept a reward or fee constitutes a separate offense.
Attorney's Note
Under the Texas Codes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class A misdemeanor | up to 1 year | up to $4,000 |
Terms Used In Texas Occupations Code 165.155
- Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
- Partnership: A voluntary contract between two or more persons to pool some or all of their assets into a business, with the agreement that there will be a proportional sharing of profits and losses.
- Person: means an individual, unless the term is expressly made applicable to a partnership, association, or corporation. See Texas Occupations Code 151.002
- Physician: means a person licensed to practice medicine in this state. See Texas Occupations Code 151.002
(c) A physician commits an offense if the physician accepts or agrees to accept a payment or other thing of value for securing or soliciting patronage for another physician.
(d) This section does not prohibit advertising except that which:
(1) is false, misleading, or deceptive; or
(2) advertises professional superiority or the performance of professional service in a superior manner and which is not readily subject to verification.
(e) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor.