O.C.G.A. § 49-4-181 — GA Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 49-4-181
Georgia Code Title 49. Social Services § 49-4-181
Status: in_force

As used in this article, the term:

(1) “Applicant” means a person who applies for assistance under the state plan.

(1) “Applicant” means a person who applies for assistance under the state plan.

(2) “ Assistance ” means the temporary assistance provided to needy families in accordance with Part A of Title IV of the federal Social Security Act, 1 as amended, regulations promulgated pursuant thereto by the secretary of health and human services, all applicable laws of this state, the state plan, and regulations of the Board of Human Services.

(2) “ Assistance ” means the temporary assistance provided to needy families in accordance with Part A of Title IV of the federal Social Security Act, 1 as amended, regulations promulgated pursuant thereto by the secretary of health and human services, all applicable laws of this state, the state plan, and regulations of the Board of Human Services.

(3) “Board” means the Board of Human Services.

(3) “Board” means the Board of Human Services.

(4) “Cash assistance” means the money payment component of TANF assistance.

(4) “Cash assistance” means the money payment component of TANF assistance.

(5) “Department” means the Department of Human Services.

(5) “Department” means the Department of Human Services.

(6) “ Family ” means a pregnant woman or one or more children living with a responsible parent, both parents, or other caretaker relative or legal guardian.

(6) “ Family ” means a pregnant woman or one or more children living with a responsible parent, both parents, or other caretaker relative or legal guardian.

(7) “Recipient” means a person who receives assistance pursuant to the state plan.

(7) “Recipient” means a person who receives assistance pursuant to the state plan.

(8) “State plan” means the plan submitted by the State of Georgia to the secretary of health and human services, pursuant to Part A of Title IV of the federal Social Security Act, as amended, particularly by the Act of August 22, 1996, Public Law 104-193 , the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, as amended.

(8) “State plan” means the plan submitted by the State of Georgia to the secretary of health and human services, pursuant to Part A of Title IV of the federal Social Security Act, as amended, particularly by the Act of August 22, 1996, Public Law 104-193 , the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, as amended.

(9) “TANF” means temporary assistance for needy families.

(9) “TANF” means temporary assistance for needy families.

(10) “Work activity” means a work activity as defined by Part A of Title IV of the federal Social Security Act, as amended. The term currently includes any of the following: (A) Unsubsidized employment; (B) Subsidized private sector employment; (C) Subsidized public sector employment; (D) Work experience, including work associated with the refurbishing of publicly assisted housing, if sufficient private sector employment is not available; (E) On-the-job training; (F) Job search and job readiness assistance, but such activity by a recipient shall be limited to no more than six weeks, only four weeks of which may be consecutive, unless the state's unemployment rate is 50 percent above the national average, in which case such activity shall be limited to no more than 12 weeks, only four weeks of which may be consecutive; (G) Community service programs; (H) Vocational educational training, not to exceed 12 months with respect to any individual; (I) Job skills training directly related to employment; (J) Education directly related to employment, in the case of a recipient who has not received a high school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalency; (K) Satisfactory attendance at secondary school or in a course of study leading to a certificate of general equivalence, in the case of a recipient who has not completed secondary school or received such a certificate of high school equivalency; and (L) The provision of child care services to an individual who is participating in a community service program. In the event the definition of work activities in Part A of Title IV of the federal Social Security Act is amended to delete from or add to the list of activities contained in this paragraph, any such change or changes shall be incorporated into this paragraph. The minimum average number of hours per week of such work activity for not less than the percentage of recipients comprising the minimum work participation rate in a given federal fiscal year shall be as follows: If the month is in federal fiscal year The minimum average number of hours per week is: 1997․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․ ․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․20 1998․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․ ․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․20 1999․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․ ․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․25 2000 or thereafter․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․ ․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․30

(10) “Work activity” means a work activity as defined by Part A of Title IV of the federal Social Security Act, as amended. The term currently includes any of the following:

(A) Unsubsidized employment;

(A) Unsubsidized employment;

(B) Subsidized private sector employment;

(B) Subsidized private sector employment;

(C) Subsidized public sector employment;

(C) Subsidized public sector employment;

(D) Work experience, including work associated with the refurbishing of publicly assisted housing, if sufficient private sector employment is not available;

(D) Work experience, including work associated with the refurbishing of publicly assisted housing, if sufficient private sector employment is not available;

(E) On-the-job training;

(E) On-the-job training;

(F) Job search and job readiness assistance, but such activity by a recipient shall be limited to no more than six weeks, only four weeks of which may be consecutive, unless the state's unemployment rate is 50 percent above the national average, in which case such activity shall be limited to no more than 12 weeks, only four weeks of which may be consecutive;

(F) Job search and job readiness assistance, but such activity by a recipient shall be limited to no more than six weeks, only four weeks of which may be consecutive, unless the state's unemployment rate is 50 percent above the national average, in which case such activity shall be limited to no more than 12 weeks, only four weeks of which may be consecutive;

(G) Community service programs;

(G) Community service programs;

(H) Vocational educational training, not to exceed 12 months with respect to any individual;

(H) Vocational educational training, not to exceed 12 months with respect to any individual;

(I) Job skills training directly related to employment;

(I) Job skills training directly related to employment;

(J) Education directly related to employment, in the case of a recipient who has not received a high school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalency;

(J) Education directly related to employment, in the case of a recipient who has not received a high school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalency;

(K) Satisfactory attendance at secondary school or in a course of study leading to a certificate of general equivalence, in the case of a recipient who has not completed secondary school or received such a certificate of high school equivalency; and

(K) Satisfactory attendance at secondary school or in a course of study leading to a certificate of general equivalence, in the case of a recipient who has not completed secondary school or received such a certificate of high school equivalency; and

(L) The provision of child care services to an individual who is participating in a community service program.

(L) The provision of child care services to an individual who is participating in a community service program.

In the event the definition of work activities in Part A of Title IV of the federal Social Security Act is amended to delete from or add to the list of activities contained in this paragraph, any such change or changes shall be incorporated into this paragraph. The minimum average number of hours per week of such work activity for not less than the percentage of recipients comprising the minimum work participation rate in a given federal fiscal year shall be as follows:

If the month is in federal fiscal year

The minimum average number of hours per week is:

The minimum average

number of hours per

1997․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․20

1998․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․20

1999․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․25

2000 or thereafter․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․30

(11) “Work participation rate” means the percentage of TANF recipients who are required to engage in a work activity in accordance with Part A of Title IV of the federal Social Security Act, as amended. The minimum work participation rate with respect to all families receiving assistance under the Georgia TANF Program shall be, in accordance with current federal law, as follows: If the federal fiscal year is The minimum participation rate is: 1997․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․ ․․․․․․․․․․․․․25% 1998․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․ ․․․․․․․․․․․․․30% 1999․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․ ․․․․․․․․․․․․․35% 2000․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․ ․․․․․․․․․․․․․40% 2001․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․ ․․․․․․․․․․․․․45% 2002 or thereafter․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․ ․․․․․․․․․․․․․50% The minimum work participation rate with respect to two-parent families receiving assistance under the Georgia TANF Program shall be, in accordance with current federal law, as follows: If the federal fiscal year is The minimum participation rate is 1997․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․ ․․․․․․․․․․․․․75% 1998․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․ ․․․․․․․․․․․․․75% 1999 or thereafter․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․ ․․․․․․․․․․․․․90% Provided, however, that the work participation rates reflected in this paragraph may be adjusted due to caseload reductions in accordance with Part A of Title IV of the federal Social Security Act, as amended.

(11) “Work participation rate” means the percentage of TANF recipients who are required to engage in a work activity in accordance with Part A of Title IV of the federal Social Security Act, as amended. The minimum work participation rate with respect to all families receiving assistance under the Georgia TANF Program shall be, in accordance with current federal law, as follows:

If the federal fiscal year is

If the federal

The minimum participation rate is:

The minimum

participation

1997․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․․․․․․․․․25%

1998․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․․․․․․․․․30%

1999․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․․․․․․․․․35%

2000․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․․․․․․․․․40%

2001․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․․․․․․․․․45%

2002 or thereafter․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․․․․․․․․․50%

The minimum work participation rate with respect to two-parent families receiving assistance under the Georgia TANF Program shall be, in accordance with current federal law, as follows:

If the federal fiscal year is

If the federal

The minimum participation rate is

The minimum

participation

1997․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․․․․․․․․․75%

1998․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․․․․․․․․․75%

1999 or thereafter․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․․․․․․․․․90%

Provided, however, that the work participation rates reflected in this paragraph may be adjusted due to caseload reductions in accordance with Part A of Title IV of the federal Social Security Act, as amended.

1 42 U.S.C.A. § 601 et seq.
O.C.G.A. § 49-4-3 — GA Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 49-4-3
Georgia Code Title 49. Social Services § 49-4-3
Status: in_force

(a) The Department of Human Services is authorized to establish any of the following categories of public assistance and to adopt plans combining the administration of such categories of public assistance as the Department of Human Services may elect: (1) Old-age assistance; (2) Aid to the blind; (3) Aid to the disabled; (4) Temporary assistance for needy families; and (5) Aid to the aged, blind, and adult disabled persons under a combined plan adopted pursuant to Title XX of the federal Social Security Act. 1

(a) The Department of Human Services is authorized to establish any of the following categories of public assistance and to adopt plans combining the administration of such categories of public assistance as the Department of Human Services may elect:

(1) Old-age assistance;

(1) Old-age assistance;

(2) Aid to the blind;

(2) Aid to the blind;

(3) Aid to the disabled;

(3) Aid to the disabled;

(4) Temporary assistance for needy families; and

(4) Temporary assistance for needy families; and

(5) Aid to the aged, blind, and adult disabled persons under a combined plan adopted pursuant to Title XX of the federal Social Security Act. 1

(5) Aid to the aged, blind, and adult disabled persons under a combined plan adopted pursuant to Title XX of the federal Social Security Act. 1

(b) This article shall be administered by the Department of Human Services, including the county departments of family and children services acting under the direction and supervision of the commissioner. In administering this article the department, including the county departments acting under the direction and supervision of the director of the Division of Family and Children Services, shall: (1) Provide for maximum cooperation with other agencies, public and private, of this state, of other states, and of the federal government in rendering services to maintain and strengthen family life and to help applicants for public assistance and recipients to attain self-support or self-care; (2) Establish and enforce such rules and regulations as may be necessary or desirable to carry out this article; provided, however, that the commissioner of the Department of Human Services may delegate to the director of the Division of Family and Children Services the responsibility for the development and issuance of procedural manuals; (3) Cooperate in all necessary respects with agencies of the United States government in the administration of this article, and accept any funds, goods, or services available to the department for public assistance and for other welfare programs and projects; (4) Enter into reciprocal and cooperative agreements with other agencies of this state and with agencies of any other state relative to the providing of assistance or service to residents and nonresidents; and (5) Make reports at such times and in such form as may be required by agencies of the United States government.

(b) This article shall be administered by the Department of Human Services, including the county departments of family and children services acting under the direction and supervision of the commissioner. In administering this article the department, including the county departments acting under the direction and supervision of the director of the Division of Family and Children Services, shall:

(1) Provide for maximum cooperation with other agencies, public and private, of this state, of other states, and of the federal government in rendering services to maintain and strengthen family life and to help applicants for public assistance and recipients to attain self-support or self-care;

(1) Provide for maximum cooperation with other agencies, public and private, of this state, of other states, and of the federal government in rendering services to maintain and strengthen family life and to help applicants for public assistance and recipients to attain self-support or self-care;

(2) Establish and enforce such rules and regulations as may be necessary or desirable to carry out this article; provided, however, that the commissioner of the Department of Human Services may delegate to the director of the Division of Family and Children Services the responsibility for the development and issuance of procedural manuals;

(2) Establish and enforce such rules and regulations as may be necessary or desirable to carry out this article; provided, however, that the commissioner of the Department of Human Services may delegate to the director of the Division of Family and Children Services the responsibility for the development and issuance of procedural manuals;

(3) Cooperate in all necessary respects with agencies of the United States government in the administration of this article, and accept any funds, goods, or services available to the department for public assistance and for other welfare programs and projects;

(3) Cooperate in all necessary respects with agencies of the United States government in the administration of this article, and accept any funds, goods, or services available to the department for public assistance and for other welfare programs and projects;

(4) Enter into reciprocal and cooperative agreements with other agencies of this state and with agencies of any other state relative to the providing of assistance or service to residents and nonresidents; and

(4) Enter into reciprocal and cooperative agreements with other agencies of this state and with agencies of any other state relative to the providing of assistance or service to residents and nonresidents; and

(5) Make reports at such times and in such form as may be required by agencies of the United States government.

(5) Make reports at such times and in such form as may be required by agencies of the United States government.

1 42 U.S.C.A. § 1397 et seq.
O.C.G.A. § 49-4-12 — GA Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 49-4-12
Georgia Code Title 49. Social Services § 49-4-12
Status: in_force

(a) All public assistance grants made under this article shall be reconsidered by the county departments of family and children services as frequently as may be required by rules of the Board of Human Services; but in every case the county department shall make such reconsideration at least once each year. After such further investigation as the commissioner may deem necessary, the amount of public assistance may be changed or may be entirely withdrawn if it is found by the department that any such grant has been made erroneously or if it is found that the recipient's circumstances have altered sufficiently to warrant such action.

(a) All public assistance grants made under this article shall be reconsidered by the county departments of family and children services as frequently as may be required by rules of the Board of Human Services; but in every case the county department shall make such reconsideration at least once each year. After such further investigation as the commissioner may deem necessary, the amount of public assistance may be changed or may be entirely withdrawn if it is found by the department that any such grant has been made erroneously or if it is found that the recipient's circumstances have altered sufficiently to warrant such action.

(b) If, at any time during the continuance of public assistance, the recipient thereof becomes possessed of income or resources in excess of the amount previously reported by him or if other changes shall occur in the circumstances previously reported by him which would alter either his need or his eligibility, it shall be his duty to notify the county department of such fact immediately on the receipt or possession of such additional income or resources or on the change of circumstances.

(b) If, at any time during the continuance of public assistance, the recipient thereof becomes possessed of income or resources in excess of the amount previously reported by him or if other changes shall occur in the circumstances previously reported by him which would alter either his need or his eligibility, it shall be his duty to notify the county department of such fact immediately on the receipt or possession of such additional income or resources or on the change of circumstances.

(c) The department may also, upon its own motion, review any decision of a county department and may consider any application upon which a decision has not been made by the county department within a reasonable time. Where the department, on its own motion, reviews a decision of a county department or considers applications upon which a decision has not been made, it may make such additional investigation as it may deem necessary; and it shall determine whether the applicant shall be granted assistance and the amount of such assistance and whether assistance being paid to a recipient shall be modified or canceled. Any applicant or recipient affected by such a decision of the department shall, upon request, be given reasonable notice and opportunity for a hearing by the department.

(c) The department may also, upon its own motion, review any decision of a county department and may consider any application upon which a decision has not been made by the county department within a reasonable time. Where the department, on its own motion, reviews a decision of a county department or considers applications upon which a decision has not been made, it may make such additional investigation as it may deem necessary; and it shall determine whether the applicant shall be granted assistance and the amount of such assistance and whether assistance being paid to a recipient shall be modified or canceled. Any applicant or recipient affected by such a decision of the department shall, upon request, be given reasonable notice and opportunity for a hearing by the department.
O.C.G.A. § 49-2-14-1 — GA Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 49-2-14-1
Georgia Code Title 49. Social Services § 49-2-14.1
Status: in_force

(a) As used in this Code section, the term: (1) “ Conviction ” means a finding or verdict of guilty or a plea of guilty regardless of whether an appeal of the conviction has been sought. (2) “ Crime ” means commission of the following offenses: (A) A violation of Code Section 16-5-1 ; (B) A violation of Code Section 16-5-21 , relating to aggravated assault; (C) A violation of Code Section 16-5-24 , relating to aggravated battery; (D) A violation of Code Section 16-5-70 , relating to cruelty to children; (E) A violation of Article 8 of Chapter 5 of Title 16; (F) A violation of Code Section 16-6-1 , relating to rape; (G) A violation of Code Section 16-6-2 , relating to aggravated sodomy; (H) A violation of Code Section 16-6-4 , relating to child molestation; (I) A violation of Code Section 16-6-5 , relating to enticing a child for indecent purposes; (J) A violation of Code Section 16-6-5.1 , relating to improper sexual contact by employee or agent, improper sexual contact by a foster parent, and improper sexual contact by person in a position of trust; (K) A violation of Code Section 16-6-22.2 , relating to aggravated sexual battery; (L) A violation of Code Section 16-8-41 ; or (M) Any other offense committed in another jurisdiction that, if committed in this state, would be deemed to be a crime listed in this paragraph without regard to its designation elsewhere. (3) “ Criminal record ” means any of the following: (A) Conviction of a crime; (B) Arrest, charge, and sentencing for a crime where: (i) A plea of nolo contendere was entered to the charge; (ii) First offender treatment without adjudication of guilt pursuant to the charge was granted; or (iii) Adjudication or sentence was otherwise withheld or not entered on the charge; or (C) Arrest and being charged for a crime if the charge is pending, unless the time for prosecuting such crime has expired pursuant to Chapter 3 of Title 17. (4) “ Facility ” means a child welfare agency required to be licensed under Code Section 49-5-12 . (5) “ GCIC ” means the Georgia Crime Information Center established under Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 35. (6) “ GCIC information ” means criminal history record information as defined in Code Section 35-3-30 . (7) “ License ” means the document issued by the department to authorize the facility to operate. (8) “ Owner ” means any individual or any person affiliated with a corporation, partnership, or association with 10 percent or greater ownership interest in a facility providing care to persons under the license of the facility in this state and who: (A) Purports to or exercises authority of the owner in a facility; (B) Applies to operate or operates a facility; (C) Maintains an office on the premises of a facility; (D) Resides at a facility; (E) Has direct access to persons receiving care at a facility; (F) Provides direct personal supervision of facility personnel by being immediately available to provide assistance and direction during the time such facility services are being provided; or (G) Enters into a contract to acquire ownership of a facility. (9) “ Records check application ” means fingerprints in such form and of such quality as prescribed by the Georgia Crime Information Center under standards adopted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and a records search fee to be established by the department by rule and regulation, payable in such form as the department may direct to cover the cost of obtaining criminal background information pursuant to this Code section.

(a) As used in this Code section, the term:

(1) “ Conviction ” means a finding or verdict of guilty or a plea of guilty regardless of whether an appeal of the conviction has been sought.

(1) “ Conviction ” means a finding or verdict of guilty or a plea of guilty regardless of whether an appeal of the conviction has been sought.

(2) “ Crime ” means commission of the following offenses: (A) A violation of Code Section 16-5-1 ; (B) A violation of Code Section 16-5-21 , relating to aggravated assault; (C) A violation of Code Section 16-5-24 , relating to aggravated battery; (D) A violation of Code Section 16-5-70 , relating to cruelty to children; (E) A violation of Article 8 of Chapter 5 of Title 16; (F) A violation of Code Section 16-6-1 , relating to rape; (G) A violation of Code Section 16-6-2 , relating to aggravated sodomy; (H) A violation of Code Section 16-6-4 , relating to child molestation; (I) A violation of Code Section 16-6-5 , relating to enticing a child for indecent purposes; (J) A violation of Code Section 16-6-5.1 , relating to improper sexual contact by employee or agent, improper sexual contact by a foster parent, and improper sexual contact by person in a position of trust; (K) A violation of Code Section 16-6-22.2 , relating to aggravated sexual battery; (L) A violation of Code Section 16-8-41 ; or (M) Any other offense committed in another jurisdiction that, if committed in this state, would be deemed to be a crime listed in this paragraph without regard to its designation elsewhere.

(2) “ Crime ” means commission of the following offenses:

(A) A violation of Code Section 16-5-1 ;

(A) A violation of Code Section 16-5-1 ;

(B) A violation of Code Section 16-5-21 , relating to aggravated assault;

(B) A violation of Code Section 16-5-21 , relating to aggravated assault;

(C) A violation of Code Section 16-5-24 , relating to aggravated battery;

(C) A violation of Code Section 16-5-24 , relating to aggravated battery;

(D) A violation of Code Section 16-5-70 , relating to cruelty to children;

(D) A violation of Code Section 16-5-70 , relating to cruelty to children;

(E) A violation of Article 8 of Chapter 5 of Title 16;

(E) A violation of Article 8 of Chapter 5 of Title 16;

(F) A violation of Code Section 16-6-1 , relating to rape;

(F) A violation of Code Section 16-6-1 , relating to rape;

(G) A violation of Code Section 16-6-2 , relating to aggravated sodomy;

(G) A violation of Code Section 16-6-2 , relating to aggravated sodomy;

(H) A violation of Code Section 16-6-4 , relating to child molestation;

(H) A violation of Code Section 16-6-4 , relating to child molestation;

(I) A violation of Code Section 16-6-5 , relating to enticing a child for indecent purposes;

(I) A violation of Code Section 16-6-5 , relating to enticing a child for indecent purposes;

(J) A violation of Code Section 16-6-5.1 , relating to improper sexual contact by employee or agent, improper sexual contact by a foster parent, and improper sexual contact by person in a position of trust;

(J) A violation of Code Section 16-6-5.1 , relating to improper sexual contact by employee or agent, improper sexual contact by a foster parent, and improper sexual contact by person in a position of trust;

(K) A violation of Code Section 16-6-22.2 , relating to aggravated sexual battery;

(K) A violation of Code Section 16-6-22.2 , relating to aggravated sexual battery;

(L) A violation of Code Section 16-8-41 ; or

(L) A violation of Code Section 16-8-41 ; or

(M) Any other offense committed in another jurisdiction that, if committed in this state, would be deemed to be a crime listed in this paragraph without regard to its designation elsewhere.

(M) Any other offense committed in another jurisdiction that, if committed in this state, would be deemed to be a crime listed in this paragraph without regard to its designation elsewhere.

(3) “ Criminal record ” means any of the following: (A) Conviction of a crime; (B) Arrest, charge, and sentencing for a crime where: (i) A plea of nolo contendere was entered to the charge; (ii) First offender treatment without adjudication of guilt pursuant to the charge was granted; or (iii) Adjudication or sentence was otherwise withheld or not entered on the charge; or (C) Arrest and being charged for a crime if the charge is pending, unless the time for prosecuting such crime has expired pursuant to Chapter 3 of Title 17.

(3) “ Criminal record ” means any of the following:

(A) Conviction of a crime;

(A) Conviction of a crime;

(B) Arrest, charge, and sentencing for a crime where: (i) A plea of nolo contendere was entered to the charge; (ii) First offender treatment without adjudication of guilt pursuant to the charge was granted; or (iii) Adjudication or sentence was otherwise withheld or not entered on the charge; or

(B) Arrest, charge, and sentencing for a crime where:

(i) A plea of nolo contendere was entered to the charge;

(i) A plea of nolo contendere was entered to the charge;

(ii) First offender treatment without adjudication of guilt pursuant to the charge was granted; or

(ii) First offender treatment without adjudication of guilt pursuant to the charge was granted; or

(iii) Adjudication or sentence was otherwise withheld or not entered on the charge; or

(iii) Adjudication or sentence was otherwise withheld or not entered on the charge; or

(C) Arrest and being charged for a crime if the charge is pending, unless the time for prosecuting such crime has expired pursuant to Chapter 3 of Title 17.

(C) Arrest and being charged for a crime if the charge is pending, unless the time for prosecuting such crime has expired pursuant to Chapter 3 of Title 17.

(4) “ Facility ” means a child welfare agency required to be licensed under Code Section 49-5-12 .

(4) “ Facility ” means a child welfare agency required to be licensed under Code Section 49-5-12 .

(5) “ GCIC ” means the Georgia Crime Information Center established under Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 35.

(5) “ GCIC ” means the Georgia Crime Information Center established under Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 35.

(6) “ GCIC information ” means criminal history record information as defined in Code Section 35-3-30 .

(6) “ GCIC information ” means criminal history record information as defined in Code Section 35-3-30 .

(7) “ License ” means the document issued by the department to authorize the facility to operate.

(7) “ License ” means the document issued by the department to authorize the facility to operate.

(8) “ Owner ” means any individual or any person affiliated with a corporation, partnership, or association with 10 percent or greater ownership interest in a facility providing care to persons under the license of the facility in this state and who: (A) Purports to or exercises authority of the owner in a facility; (B) Applies to operate or operates a facility; (C) Maintains an office on the premises of a facility; (D) Resides at a facility; (E) Has direct access to persons receiving care at a facility; (F) Provides direct personal supervision of facility personnel by being immediately available to provide assistance and direction during the time such facility services are being provided; or (G) Enters into a contract to acquire ownership of a facility.

(8) “ Owner ” means any individual or any person affiliated with a corporation, partnership, or association with 10 percent or greater ownership interest in a facility providing care to persons under the license of the facility in this state and who:

(A) Purports to or exercises authority of the owner in a facility;

(A) Purports to or exercises authority of the owner in a facility;

(B) Applies to operate or operates a facility;

(B) Applies to operate or operates a facility;

(C) Maintains an office on the premises of a facility;

(C) Maintains an office on the premises of a facility;

(D) Resides at a facility;

(D) Resides at a facility;

(E) Has direct access to persons receiving care at a facility;

(E) Has direct access to persons receiving care at a facility;

(F) Provides direct personal supervision of facility personnel by being immediately available to provide assistance and direction during the time such facility services are being provided; or

(F) Provides direct personal supervision of facility personnel by being immediately available to provide assistance and direction during the time such facility services are being provided; or

(G) Enters into a contract to acquire ownership of a facility.

(G) Enters into a contract to acquire ownership of a facility.

(9) “ Records check application ” means fingerprints in such form and of such quality as prescribed by the Georgia Crime Information Center under standards adopted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and a records search fee to be established by the department by rule and regulation, payable in such form as the department may direct to cover the cost of obtaining criminal background information pursuant to this Code section.

(9) “ Records check application ” means fingerprints in such form and of such quality as prescribed by the Georgia Crime Information Center under standards adopted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and a records search fee to be established by the department by rule and regulation, payable in such form as the department may direct to cover the cost of obtaining criminal background information pursuant to this Code section.

(b) An owner with a criminal record shall not operate or hold a license to operate a facility, and the department shall revoke the license of any owner operating a facility or refuse to issue a license to any owner operating a facility if it determines that such owner has a criminal record; provided, however, that an owner who holds a license to operate a facility on or before June 30, 2007, shall not have his or her license revoked prior to a hearing being held before a hearing officer pursuant to Chapter 13 of Title 50, the “Georgia Administrative Procedure Act.”

(b) An owner with a criminal record shall not operate or hold a license to operate a facility, and the department shall revoke the license of any owner operating a facility or refuse to issue a license to any owner operating a facility if it determines that such owner has a criminal record; provided, however, that an owner who holds a license to operate a facility on or before June 30, 2007, shall not have his or her license revoked prior to a hearing being held before a hearing officer pursuant to Chapter 13 of Title 50, the “Georgia Administrative Procedure Act.”

(c)(1) Prior to approving any license for a new facility and periodically as established by the department by rule and regulation, the department shall require an owner to submit a records check application. The department shall establish a uniform method of obtaining an owner's records check application. (2)(A) Unless the department contracts pursuant to subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, the department shall transmit to the GCIC the fingerprints and records search fee from each fingerprint records check application in accordance with Code Section 35-3-35 . Upon receipt thereof, the GCIC shall promptly transmit the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a search of bureau records and an appropriate report and shall promptly conduct a search of its records and records to which it has access. Within ten days after receiving fingerprints acceptable to the GCIC and the fee, the GCIC shall notify the department in writing of any criminal record or if there is no such finding. After a search of Federal Bureau of Investigation records and fingerprints and upon receipt of the bureau's report, the department shall make a determination about an owner's criminal record and shall notify the owner in writing as to the department's determination as to whether the owner has or does not have a criminal record. (B) The department may either perform criminal background checks under agreement with the GCIC or contract with the GCIC and appropriate law enforcement agencies which have access to GCIC and Federal Bureau of Investigation information to have those agencies perform for the department criminal background checks for owners. The department or the appropriate law enforcement agencies may charge reasonable fees for performing criminal background checks. (3)(A) The department's determination regarding an owner's criminal record, or any action by the department revoking or refusing to grant a license based on such determination, shall constitute a contested case for purposes of Chapter 13 of Title 50, the “Georgia Administrative Procedure Act,” except that any hearing required to be held pursuant thereto may be held reasonably expeditiously after such determination or action by the department. (B) In a hearing held pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this paragraph or subsection (b) of this Code section, the hearing officer shall consider in mitigation the length of time since the crime was committed, the absence of additional criminal charges, the circumstances surrounding the commission of the crime, other indicia of rehabilitation, the facility's history of compliance with the regulations, and the owner's involvement with the licensed facility in arriving at a decision as to whether the criminal record requires the denial or revocation of the license to operate the facility. Where a hearing is required, at least 30 days prior to such hearing, the hearing officer shall notify the office of the prosecuting attorney who initiated the prosecution of the crime in question in order to allow the prosecutor to object to a possible determination that the conviction would not be a bar for the grant or continuation of a license as contemplated within this Code section. If objections are made, the hearing officer shall take such objections into consideration in considering the case. (4) The GCIC, the department, any law enforcement agency, and the employees of any such entities shall not be responsible for the accuracy of information nor have any liability for defamation, invasion of privacy, negligence, or any other claim in connection with any dissemination of information or determination based thereon pursuant to this Code section.

(c)(1) Prior to approving any license for a new facility and periodically as established by the department by rule and regulation, the department shall require an owner to submit a records check application. The department shall establish a uniform method of obtaining an owner's records check application.

(c)(1) Prior to approving any license for a new facility and periodically as established by the department by rule and regulation, the department shall require an owner to submit a records check application. The department shall establish a uniform method of obtaining an owner's records check application.

(2)(A) Unless the department contracts pursuant to subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, the department shall transmit to the GCIC the fingerprints and records search fee from each fingerprint records check application in accordance with Code Section 35-3-35 . Upon receipt thereof, the GCIC shall promptly transmit the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a search of bureau records and an appropriate report and shall promptly conduct a search of its records and records to which it has access. Within ten days after receiving fingerprints acceptable to the GCIC and the fee, the GCIC shall notify the department in writing of any criminal record or if there is no such finding. After a search of Federal Bureau of Investigation records and fingerprints and upon receipt of the bureau's report, the department shall make a determination about an owner's criminal record and shall notify the owner in writing as to the department's determination as to whether the owner has or does not have a criminal record. (B) The department may either perform criminal background checks under agreement with the GCIC or contract with the GCIC and appropriate law enforcement agencies which have access to GCIC and Federal Bureau of Investigation information to have those agencies perform for the department criminal background checks for owners. The department or the appropriate law enforcement agencies may charge reasonable fees for performing criminal background checks.

(2)(A) Unless the department contracts pursuant to subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, the department shall transmit to the GCIC the fingerprints and records search fee from each fingerprint records check application in accordance with Code Section 35-3-35 . Upon receipt thereof, the GCIC shall promptly transmit the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a search of bureau records and an appropriate report and shall promptly conduct a search of its records and records to which it has access. Within ten days after receiving fingerprints acceptable to the GCIC and the fee, the GCIC shall notify the department in writing of any criminal record or if there is no such finding. After a search of Federal Bureau of Investigation records and fingerprints and upon receipt of the bureau's report, the department shall make a determination about an owner's criminal record and shall notify the owner in writing as to the department's determination as to whether the owner has or does not have a criminal record.

(2)(A) Unless the department contracts pursuant to subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, the department shall transmit to the GCIC the fingerprints and records search fee from each fingerprint records check application in accordance with Code Section 35-3-35 . Upon receipt thereof, the GCIC shall promptly transmit the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a search of bureau records and an appropriate report and shall promptly conduct a search of its records and records to which it has access. Within ten days after receiving fingerprints acceptable to the GCIC and the fee, the GCIC shall notify the department in writing of any criminal record or if there is no such finding. After a search of Federal Bureau of Investigation records and fingerprints and upon receipt of the bureau's report, the department shall make a determination about an owner's criminal record and shall notify the owner in writing as to the department's determination as to whether the owner has or does not have a criminal record.

(B) The department may either perform criminal background checks under agreement with the GCIC or contract with the GCIC and appropriate law enforcement agencies which have access to GCIC and Federal Bureau of Investigation information to have those agencies perform for the department criminal background checks for owners. The department or the appropriate law enforcement agencies may charge reasonable fees for performing criminal background checks.

(B) The department may either perform criminal background checks under agreement with the GCIC or contract with the GCIC and appropriate law enforcement agencies which have access to GCIC and Federal Bureau of Investigation information to have those agencies perform for the department criminal background checks for owners. The department or the appropriate law enforcement agencies may charge reasonable fees for performing criminal background checks.

(3)(A) The department's determination regarding an owner's criminal record, or any action by the department revoking or refusing to grant a license based on such determination, shall constitute a contested case for purposes of Chapter 13 of Title 50, the “Georgia Administrative Procedure Act,” except that any hearing required to be held pursuant thereto may be held reasonably expeditiously after such determination or action by the department. (B) In a hearing held pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this paragraph or subsection (b) of this Code section, the hearing officer shall consider in mitigation the length of time since the crime was committed, the absence of additional criminal charges, the circumstances surrounding the commission of the crime, other indicia of rehabilitation, the facility's history of compliance with the regulations, and the owner's involvement with the licensed facility in arriving at a decision as to whether the criminal record requires the denial or revocation of the license to operate the facility. Where a hearing is required, at least 30 days prior to such hearing, the hearing officer shall notify the office of the prosecuting attorney who initiated the prosecution of the crime in question in order to allow the prosecutor to object to a possible determination that the conviction would not be a bar for the grant or continuation of a license as contemplated within this Code section. If objections are made, the hearing officer shall take such objections into consideration in considering the case.

(3)(A) The department's determination regarding an owner's criminal record, or any action by the department revoking or refusing to grant a license based on such determination, shall constitute a contested case for purposes of Chapter 13 of Title 50, the “Georgia Administrative Procedure Act,” except that any hearing required to be held pursuant thereto may be held reasonably expeditiously after such determination or action by the department.

(3)(A) The department's determination regarding an owner's criminal record, or any action by the department revoking or refusing to grant a license based on such determination, shall constitute a contested case for purposes of Chapter 13 of Title 50, the “Georgia Administrative Procedure Act,” except that any hearing required to be held pursuant thereto may be held reasonably expeditiously after such determination or action by the department.

(B) In a hearing held pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this paragraph or subsection (b) of this Code section, the hearing officer shall consider in mitigation the length of time since the crime was committed, the absence of additional criminal charges, the circumstances surrounding the commission of the crime, other indicia of rehabilitation, the facility's history of compliance with the regulations, and the owner's involvement with the licensed facility in arriving at a decision as to whether the criminal record requires the denial or revocation of the license to operate the facility. Where a hearing is required, at least 30 days prior to such hearing, the hearing officer shall notify the office of the prosecuting attorney who initiated the prosecution of the crime in question in order to allow the prosecutor to object to a possible determination that the conviction would not be a bar for the grant or continuation of a license as contemplated within this Code section. If objections are made, the hearing officer shall take such objections into consideration in considering the case.

(B) In a hearing held pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this paragraph or subsection (b) of this Code section, the hearing officer shall consider in mitigation the length of time since the crime was committed, the absence of additional criminal charges, the circumstances surrounding the commission of the crime, other indicia of rehabilitation, the facility's history of compliance with the regulations, and the owner's involvement with the licensed facility in arriving at a decision as to whether the criminal record requires the denial or revocation of the license to operate the facility. Where a hearing is required, at least 30 days prior to such hearing, the hearing officer shall notify the office of the prosecuting attorney who initiated the prosecution of the crime in question in order to allow the prosecutor to object to a possible determination that the conviction would not be a bar for the grant or continuation of a license as contemplated within this Code section. If objections are made, the hearing officer shall take such objections into consideration in considering the case.

(4) The GCIC, the department, any law enforcement agency, and the employees of any such entities shall not be responsible for the accuracy of information nor have any liability for defamation, invasion of privacy, negligence, or any other claim in connection with any dissemination of information or determination based thereon pursuant to this Code section.

(4) The GCIC, the department, any law enforcement agency, and the employees of any such entities shall not be responsible for the accuracy of information nor have any liability for defamation, invasion of privacy, negligence, or any other claim in connection with any dissemination of information or determination based thereon pursuant to this Code section.

(d) All information received from the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the GCIC shall be for the exclusive purpose of approving or denying the granting of a license to a new facility or the revision of a license of an existing facility when a new owner is proposed and shall not be released or otherwise disclosed to any other person or agency. All such information collected by the department shall be maintained by the department pursuant to laws regarding and the rules or regulations of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the GCIC, as is applicable. Penalties for the unauthorized release or disclosure of any such information shall be as prescribed pursuant to laws regarding and rules or regulations of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the GCIC, as is applicable.

(d) All information received from the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the GCIC shall be for the exclusive purpose of approving or denying the granting of a license to a new facility or the revision of a license of an existing facility when a new owner is proposed and shall not be released or otherwise disclosed to any other person or agency. All such information collected by the department shall be maintained by the department pursuant to laws regarding and the rules or regulations of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the GCIC, as is applicable. Penalties for the unauthorized release or disclosure of any such information shall be as prescribed pursuant to laws regarding and rules or regulations of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the GCIC, as is applicable.

(e) The requirements of this Code section are supplemental to any requirements for a license imposed by Article 3 of Chapter 5 of this title or Article 14 of Chapter 7 of Title 31.

(e) The requirements of this Code section are supplemental to any requirements for a license imposed by Article 3 of Chapter 5 of this title or Article 14 of Chapter 7 of Title 31.

(f) The department shall promulgate written rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Code section.

(f) The department shall promulgate written rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Code section.

(g) If the department is participating in the program described in subparagraph (a)(1)(F) of Code Section 35-3-33 , the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation shall be authorized to retain fingerprints obtained pursuant to this Code section for such program and the department shall notify the individual whose fingerprints were taken of the parameters of such retention.

(g) If the department is participating in the program described in subparagraph (a)(1)(F) of Code Section 35-3-33 , the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation shall be authorized to retain fingerprints obtained pursuant to this Code section for such program and the department shall notify the individual whose fingerprints were taken of the parameters of such retention.
O.C.G.A. § 49-4-182 — GA Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 49-4-182
Georgia Code Title 49. Social Services § 49-4-182
Status: in_force

(a) There is created the Georgia Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program, which shall be known as the “Georgia TANF Program.” The purpose of such program is to provide necessary assistance to needy families on a temporary basis and to provide parents, legal guardians, or other caretaker relatives of children with the necessary support services to enable such parents, legal guardians, or caretaker relatives to become self-sufficient and leave the program as soon as possible. After an initial assessment and once the state determines an applicant is ready for work, applicants for assistance shall be required to engage in a work activity in accordance with Part A of Title IV of the federal Social Security Act, 1 as amended, and the state plan as soon as possible after making application for assistance, but in any event no later than 24 months after first receiving cash assistance.

(a) There is created the Georgia Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program, which shall be known as the “Georgia TANF Program.” The purpose of such program is to provide necessary assistance to needy families on a temporary basis and to provide parents, legal guardians, or other caretaker relatives of children with the necessary support services to enable such parents, legal guardians, or caretaker relatives to become self-sufficient and leave the program as soon as possible. After an initial assessment and once the state determines an applicant is ready for work, applicants for assistance shall be required to engage in a work activity in accordance with Part A of Title IV of the federal Social Security Act, 1 as amended, and the state plan as soon as possible after making application for assistance, but in any event no later than 24 months after first receiving cash assistance.

(b) Assistance shall be provided in accordance with the state plan and any future amendments thereto. Cash assistance to a recipient who is not a minor child and who is a head of a household or married to the head of a household shall be limited to a lifetime maximum of 48 months, whether or not consecutive, beginning January 1, 1997.

(b) Assistance shall be provided in accordance with the state plan and any future amendments thereto. Cash assistance to a recipient who is not a minor child and who is a head of a household or married to the head of a household shall be limited to a lifetime maximum of 48 months, whether or not consecutive, beginning January 1, 1997.

(c) Nothing in this article, the state plan, or any rules or regulations adopted pursuant to this article shall be interpreted to entitle any individual or any family to assistance under the Georgia TANF Program.

(c) Nothing in this article, the state plan, or any rules or regulations adopted pursuant to this article shall be interpreted to entitle any individual or any family to assistance under the Georgia TANF Program.

1 42 U.S.C.A. § 601 et seq.
O.C.G.A. § 49-5-20 — GA Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 49-5-20
Georgia Code Title 49. Social Services § 49-5-20
Status: in_force

Nothing in this article shall be deemed to revoke any charter of incorporation of any orphans' home or charitable or benevolent institution incorporated and established under the Act of the General Assembly approved December 18, 1894 (Ga. L. 1894, p. 80), as amended by the Act of the General Assembly approved December 16, 1898 (Ga. L. 1898, p. 104), notwithstanding the repeal of such Acts by Ga. L. 1963, p. 81, Section 24, or to impair or diminish the rights, powers, or privileges of such corporation as provided in its charter of incorporation.
O.C.G.A. § 49-4-16 — GA Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 49-4-16
Georgia Code Title 49. Social Services § 49-4-16
Status: in_force

(a) Except as modified by and pursuant to the provisions of this article the same provisions concerning eligibility for assistance as obtain with respect to old-age assistance, aid to the blind, temporary assistance for needy families, and aid to the totally and permanently disabled shall remain in force and effect.

(a) Except as modified by and pursuant to the provisions of this article the same provisions concerning eligibility for assistance as obtain with respect to old-age assistance, aid to the blind, temporary assistance for needy families, and aid to the totally and permanently disabled shall remain in force and effect.

(b) The department is authorized to enter into agreements with departments and agencies of the government of the United States for the purposes of accepting grants, providing matching funds, and administering of such grants and funds, in accordance with regulations to be promulgated, for research and demonstration projects under Title XI, Section 1115, of the federal Social Security Act, 1 without regard to the factor of state wideness and such other factors as may be required to be waived by the terms of the federal grant. The department also shall be authorized to participate in work experience or any other projects authorized under Title V of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, P. L. 88-452, 78 Stat. 508, and in the distribution of surplus food through a food stamp program under 7 U.S.C., Section 2013 .

(b) The department is authorized to enter into agreements with departments and agencies of the government of the United States for the purposes of accepting grants, providing matching funds, and administering of such grants and funds, in accordance with regulations to be promulgated, for research and demonstration projects under Title XI, Section 1115, of the federal Social Security Act, 1 without regard to the factor of state wideness and such other factors as may be required to be waived by the terms of the federal grant. The department also shall be authorized to participate in work experience or any other projects authorized under Title V of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, P. L. 88-452, 78 Stat. 508, and in the distribution of surplus food through a food stamp program under 7 U.S.C., Section 2013 .

1 42 U.S.C.A. § 1315.
O.C.G.A. § 49-4-38 — GA Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 49-4-38
Georgia Code Title 49. Social Services § 49-4-38
Status: in_force

Each county board shall maintain for public information a roll book giving the name and address of and salary paid each employee of the county board in the county.
O.C.G.A. § 49-4-168-5 — GA Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 49-4-168-5
Georgia Code Title 49. Social Services § 49-4-168.5
Status: in_force

All civil actions under this article shall be filed pursuant to Code Section 49-4-168.2 within six years after the date the violation was committed, or four years after the date when facts material to the right of civil action are known or reasonably should have been known by the state official charged with the responsibility to act in the circumstances, whichever occurs last; provided, however, that in no event shall any civil action be filed more than ten years after the date upon which the violation was committed.
O.C.G.A. § 49-9-21 — GA Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 49-9-21
Georgia Code Title 49. Social Services § 49-9-21
Status: in_force

(a) The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency shall oversee the delivery of deaf-blind services and techniques provided by an organization pursuant to subsection (c) of this Code section that lead to maximum independence and employment for individuals with both a hearing and a vision loss. These services shall include, but not be limited to, transition of deaf-blind youth from education to the work force; identification of deaf-blind individuals in Georgia; communication access for varying groups of individuals and their unique needs; training deaf-blind individuals in orientation and mobility, rehabilitation, and Braille; utilization of support service providers to function as sighted guides, communication facilitators, and providers of transportation; support and increase in the number of qualified sign language interpreters working with deaf-blind individuals; use of adaptive technologies, such as computers, telebraillers, and TTY devices; strategies and techniques to assist deaf-blind individuals in obtaining the highest level of independence possible; and peer support which provides access to information, people, and places.

(a) The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency shall oversee the delivery of deaf-blind services and techniques provided by an organization pursuant to subsection (c) of this Code section that lead to maximum independence and employment for individuals with both a hearing and a vision loss. These services shall include, but not be limited to, transition of deaf-blind youth from education to the work force; identification of deaf-blind individuals in Georgia; communication access for varying groups of individuals and their unique needs; training deaf-blind individuals in orientation and mobility, rehabilitation, and Braille; utilization of support service providers to function as sighted guides, communication facilitators, and providers of transportation; support and increase in the number of qualified sign language interpreters working with deaf-blind individuals; use of adaptive technologies, such as computers, telebraillers, and TTY devices; strategies and techniques to assist deaf-blind individuals in obtaining the highest level of independence possible; and peer support which provides access to information, people, and places.

(b) The agency shall, to the greatest extent possible, integrate the services and techniques required pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section into its standard practices and procedures with the objective of providing appropriate services in an appropriate manner to individuals in the deaf-blind community.

(b) The agency shall, to the greatest extent possible, integrate the services and techniques required pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section into its standard practices and procedures with the objective of providing appropriate services in an appropriate manner to individuals in the deaf-blind community.

(c) Subject to appropriations by the General Assembly, the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency shall retain an organization knowledgeable on deaf-blind issues to provide the services and techniques included in subsection (a) of this Code section to deaf-blind individuals and to provide comprehensive training to agency staff on such services and techniques required pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section. Such organization shall be retained no later than six months after funding from appropriations by the General Assembly has been made available for expenditure by the agency.

(c) Subject to appropriations by the General Assembly, the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency shall retain an organization knowledgeable on deaf-blind issues to provide the services and techniques included in subsection (a) of this Code section to deaf-blind individuals and to provide comprehensive training to agency staff on such services and techniques required pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section. Such organization shall be retained no later than six months after funding from appropriations by the General Assembly has been made available for expenditure by the agency.
O.C.G.A. § 49-10-5 — GA Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 49-10-5
Georgia Code Title 49. Social Services § 49-10-5
Status: in_force

(a) As used in this Code section, the term: (1) “Addictive disease” has the same meaning as in Code Section 37-1-1 . (2) “ Behavioral health care provider ” means any health care provider regulated by a licensing board who primarily provides treatment or diagnosis of mental health or substance use disorders. (3) “ Licensing board ” means: (A) Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists; (B) Georgia Board of Nursing; (C) Georgia Composite Medical Board; (D) State Board of Examiners of Psychologists; and (E) State Board of Pharmacy. (4) “ Mental health or substance use disorder ” means a mental illness or addictive disease. (5) “Mental illness” has the same meaning as in Code Section 37-1-1 .

(a) As used in this Code section, the term:

(1) “Addictive disease” has the same meaning as in Code Section 37-1-1 .

(1) “Addictive disease” has the same meaning as in Code Section 37-1-1 .

(2) “ Behavioral health care provider ” means any health care provider regulated by a licensing board who primarily provides treatment or diagnosis of mental health or substance use disorders.

(2) “ Behavioral health care provider ” means any health care provider regulated by a licensing board who primarily provides treatment or diagnosis of mental health or substance use disorders.

(3) “ Licensing board ” means: (A) Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists; (B) Georgia Board of Nursing; (C) Georgia Composite Medical Board; (D) State Board of Examiners of Psychologists; and (E) State Board of Pharmacy.

(3) “ Licensing board ” means:

(A) Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists;

(A) Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists;

(B) Georgia Board of Nursing;

(B) Georgia Board of Nursing;

(C) Georgia Composite Medical Board;

(C) Georgia Composite Medical Board;

(D) State Board of Examiners of Psychologists; and

(D) State Board of Examiners of Psychologists; and

(E) State Board of Pharmacy.

(E) State Board of Pharmacy.

(4) “ Mental health or substance use disorder ” means a mental illness or addictive disease.

(4) “ Mental health or substance use disorder ” means a mental illness or addictive disease.

(5) “Mental illness” has the same meaning as in Code Section 37-1-1 .

(5) “Mental illness” has the same meaning as in Code Section 37-1-1 .

(b) The board shall create and maintain the Behavioral Health Care Workforce Data Base for the purposes of collecting and analyzing minimum data set surveys for behavioral health care professionals. To facilitate such data base, the board shall: (1) Enter into agreements with entities to create, house, and provide information to the Governor, the General Assembly, state agencies, and the public regarding the state's behavioral health care workforce; (2) Seek federal or other sources of funding necessary to support the creation and maintenance of a Behavioral Health Care Workforce Data Base, including any necessary staffing; (3) Create and maintain an online dashboard accessible on the board's website to provide access to the Behavioral Health Care Workforce Data Base; and (4) Establish a minimum data set survey to be utilized by licensing boards to collect demographic and other data from behavioral health care providers which are licensed by such boards.

(b) The board shall create and maintain the Behavioral Health Care Workforce Data Base for the purposes of collecting and analyzing minimum data set surveys for behavioral health care professionals. To facilitate such data base, the board shall:

(1) Enter into agreements with entities to create, house, and provide information to the Governor, the General Assembly, state agencies, and the public regarding the state's behavioral health care workforce;

(1) Enter into agreements with entities to create, house, and provide information to the Governor, the General Assembly, state agencies, and the public regarding the state's behavioral health care workforce;

(2) Seek federal or other sources of funding necessary to support the creation and maintenance of a Behavioral Health Care Workforce Data Base, including any necessary staffing;

(2) Seek federal or other sources of funding necessary to support the creation and maintenance of a Behavioral Health Care Workforce Data Base, including any necessary staffing;

(3) Create and maintain an online dashboard accessible on the board's website to provide access to the Behavioral Health Care Workforce Data Base; and

(3) Create and maintain an online dashboard accessible on the board's website to provide access to the Behavioral Health Care Workforce Data Base; and

(4) Establish a minimum data set survey to be utilized by licensing boards to collect demographic and other data from behavioral health care providers which are licensed by such boards.

(4) Establish a minimum data set survey to be utilized by licensing boards to collect demographic and other data from behavioral health care providers which are licensed by such boards.

(c) Licensing boards shall be authorized to and shall require that each applicant and licensee complete the minimum data set survey established by the board pursuant to this Code section at the time of application for licensure or renewal of such applicant or licensee to his or her licensing board. Licensing boards shall provide the board with the results of such minimum data set surveys in accordance with rules and regulations established by the board regarding the manner, form, and content for the reporting of such data sets.

(c) Licensing boards shall be authorized to and shall require that each applicant and licensee complete the minimum data set survey established by the board pursuant to this Code section at the time of application for licensure or renewal of such applicant or licensee to his or her licensing board. Licensing boards shall provide the board with the results of such minimum data set surveys in accordance with rules and regulations established by the board regarding the manner, form, and content for the reporting of such data sets.

(d) To the extent allowed by law, the minimum data set established by the board shall include, but shall not be limited to: (1) Demographics, including race, ethnicity, and primary and other languages spoken; (2) Practice status, including, but not limited to: (A) Active practices in Georgia and other locations; (B) Practice type and age range of individuals served; and (C) Practice settings, such as a hospital; clinic; school; in-home services, including telehealth services; or other clinical setting; (3) Education, training, and primary and secondary specialties; (4) Average hours worked per week and average number of weeks worked per year in the licensed profession; (5) Percentage of practice engaged in direct patient care and in other activities, such as teaching, research, and administration in the licensed profession; (6) Year of expected retirement, as applicable, within the next five years; (7) Whether the applicant or licensee has specialized training in treating children and adolescents, and if so, the proportion of his or her practice that comprises the treatment of children and adolescents; (8) Whether the applicant or licensee is or will be accepting new patients and the location or locations new patients are being or will be accepted; (9) Types of insurance accepted and whether the provider accepts Medicaid and Medicare; and (10) Other data determined by the board.

(d) To the extent allowed by law, the minimum data set established by the board shall include, but shall not be limited to:

(1) Demographics, including race, ethnicity, and primary and other languages spoken;

(1) Demographics, including race, ethnicity, and primary and other languages spoken;

(2) Practice status, including, but not limited to: (A) Active practices in Georgia and other locations; (B) Practice type and age range of individuals served; and (C) Practice settings, such as a hospital; clinic; school; in-home services, including telehealth services; or other clinical setting;

(2) Practice status, including, but not limited to:

(A) Active practices in Georgia and other locations;

(A) Active practices in Georgia and other locations;

(B) Practice type and age range of individuals served; and

(B) Practice type and age range of individuals served; and

(C) Practice settings, such as a hospital; clinic; school; in-home services, including telehealth services; or other clinical setting;

(C) Practice settings, such as a hospital; clinic; school; in-home services, including telehealth services; or other clinical setting;

(3) Education, training, and primary and secondary specialties;

(3) Education, training, and primary and secondary specialties;

(4) Average hours worked per week and average number of weeks worked per year in the licensed profession;

(4) Average hours worked per week and average number of weeks worked per year in the licensed profession;

(5) Percentage of practice engaged in direct patient care and in other activities, such as teaching, research, and administration in the licensed profession;

(5) Percentage of practice engaged in direct patient care and in other activities, such as teaching, research, and administration in the licensed profession;

(6) Year of expected retirement, as applicable, within the next five years;

(6) Year of expected retirement, as applicable, within the next five years;

(7) Whether the applicant or licensee has specialized training in treating children and adolescents, and if so, the proportion of his or her practice that comprises the treatment of children and adolescents;

(7) Whether the applicant or licensee has specialized training in treating children and adolescents, and if so, the proportion of his or her practice that comprises the treatment of children and adolescents;

(8) Whether the applicant or licensee is or will be accepting new patients and the location or locations new patients are being or will be accepted;

(8) Whether the applicant or licensee is or will be accepting new patients and the location or locations new patients are being or will be accepted;

(9) Types of insurance accepted and whether the provider accepts Medicaid and Medicare; and

(9) Types of insurance accepted and whether the provider accepts Medicaid and Medicare; and

(10) Other data determined by the board.

(10) Other data determined by the board.
O.C.G.A. § 49-5-91 — GA Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 49-5-91
Georgia Code Title 49. Social Services § 49-5-91
Status: in_force

(a) Emergency orders may be issued by the commissioner or his designee pursuant to findings by the department pursuant to surveys, inspections, or investigations, which are required or permitted by law, that departmental rules and regulations are being violated which threaten the health, safety, or welfare of children in care.

(a) Emergency orders may be issued by the commissioner or his designee pursuant to findings by the department pursuant to surveys, inspections, or investigations, which are required or permitted by law, that departmental rules and regulations are being violated which threaten the health, safety, or welfare of children in care.

(b)(1)(A) The commissioner may order the emergency relocation of residents from a child-caring institution other than a day-care facility subject to licensure under this chapter when the commissioner has determined that the residents are subject to an imminent and substantial danger. (B) When an order is issued under this subsection, the commissioner shall provide for: (i) Notice to the resident, his next of kin or guardian, and, where appropriate, his physician, of the emergency relocation and the reasons therefor; (ii) Relocation to the nearest appropriate child-caring institution; and (iii) Other protection designed to ensure the welfare and, when possible, the desires of the resident and his next of kin or guardian. (2)(A) The commissioner or his designee may order the emergency placement of a monitor or monitors in a facility upon a finding that department rules and regulations are being violated which threaten the health, safety, or welfare of children in care and when one or more of the following conditions are present: (i) The facility is operating without a permit; (ii) The department has denied application for permit or has initiated action to revoke the existing permit of the facility; or (iii) Children are suspected of being subjected to injury or life-threatening situations or the health or safety of the child or children is in danger. (B) A monitor may be placed in a facility for no more than ten consecutive calendar days, during which time the monitor shall observe conditions and regulatory compliance with any recommended remedial action of the department. Upon expiration of the ten-day period, should the conditions warrant, the initial ten-day period may be extended for an additional ten-day period. The monitor shall report to the department. The monitor shall not assume any administrative responsibility within the facility, nor shall the monitor be liable for any actions of the facility. The salary and related costs and travel and subsistence allowance as defined by department policy of placing a monitor in a facility shall be reimbursed to the department by the facility, unless the order placing the monitor is determined to be invalid in a contested case or by final adjudication by a court of competent jurisdiction, in which event the cost shall be paid by the department. (3)(A) The commissioner may order the emergency prohibition of admissions to a child-caring institution other than a day-care facility subject to licensure under this chapter when residents of an institution are in imminent and substantial danger or the institution has failed to correct a violation of departmental permit rules or regulations within a reasonable period of time, as specified in the department's corrective order, and the violation: (i) Could jeopardize the health and safety of the residents in the institution if allowed to remain uncorrected; or (ii) Is a repeat violation over a 12 month period. (B) Admission to an institution may be suspended until the violation has been corrected or until the department has determined that the institution has undertaken the action necessary to effect correction of the violation.

(b)(1)(A) The commissioner may order the emergency relocation of residents from a child-caring institution other than a day-care facility subject to licensure under this chapter when the commissioner has determined that the residents are subject to an imminent and substantial danger. (B) When an order is issued under this subsection, the commissioner shall provide for: (i) Notice to the resident, his next of kin or guardian, and, where appropriate, his physician, of the emergency relocation and the reasons therefor; (ii) Relocation to the nearest appropriate child-caring institution; and (iii) Other protection designed to ensure the welfare and, when possible, the desires of the resident and his next of kin or guardian.

(b)(1)(A) The commissioner may order the emergency relocation of residents from a child-caring institution other than a day-care facility subject to licensure under this chapter when the commissioner has determined that the residents are subject to an imminent and substantial danger.

(b)(1)(A) The commissioner may order the emergency relocation of residents from a child-caring institution other than a day-care facility subject to licensure under this chapter when the commissioner has determined that the residents are subject to an imminent and substantial danger.

(B) When an order is issued under this subsection, the commissioner shall provide for: (i) Notice to the resident, his next of kin or guardian, and, where appropriate, his physician, of the emergency relocation and the reasons therefor; (ii) Relocation to the nearest appropriate child-caring institution; and (iii) Other protection designed to ensure the welfare and, when possible, the desires of the resident and his next of kin or guardian.

(B) When an order is issued under this subsection, the commissioner shall provide for:

(i) Notice to the resident, his next of kin or guardian, and, where appropriate, his physician, of the emergency relocation and the reasons therefor;

(i) Notice to the resident, his next of kin or guardian, and, where appropriate, his physician, of the emergency relocation and the reasons therefor;

(ii) Relocation to the nearest appropriate child-caring institution; and

(ii) Relocation to the nearest appropriate child-caring institution; and

(iii) Other protection designed to ensure the welfare and, when possible, the desires of the resident and his next of kin or guardian.

(iii) Other protection designed to ensure the welfare and, when possible, the desires of the resident and his next of kin or guardian.

(2)(A) The commissioner or his designee may order the emergency placement of a monitor or monitors in a facility upon a finding that department rules and regulations are being violated which threaten the health, safety, or welfare of children in care and when one or more of the following conditions are present: (i) The facility is operating without a permit; (ii) The department has denied application for permit or has initiated action to revoke the existing permit of the facility; or (iii) Children are suspected of being subjected to injury or life-threatening situations or the health or safety of the child or children is in danger. (B) A monitor may be placed in a facility for no more than ten consecutive calendar days, during which time the monitor shall observe conditions and regulatory compliance with any recommended remedial action of the department. Upon expiration of the ten-day period, should the conditions warrant, the initial ten-day period may be extended for an additional ten-day period. The monitor shall report to the department. The monitor shall not assume any administrative responsibility within the facility, nor shall the monitor be liable for any actions of the facility. The salary and related costs and travel and subsistence allowance as defined by department policy of placing a monitor in a facility shall be reimbursed to the department by the facility, unless the order placing the monitor is determined to be invalid in a contested case or by final adjudication by a court of competent jurisdiction, in which event the cost shall be paid by the department.

(2)(A) The commissioner or his designee may order the emergency placement of a monitor or monitors in a facility upon a finding that department rules and regulations are being violated which threaten the health, safety, or welfare of children in care and when one or more of the following conditions are present: (i) The facility is operating without a permit; (ii) The department has denied application for permit or has initiated action to revoke the existing permit of the facility; or (iii) Children are suspected of being subjected to injury or life-threatening situations or the health or safety of the child or children is in danger.

(2)(A) The commissioner or his designee may order the emergency placement of a monitor or monitors in a facility upon a finding that department rules and regulations are being violated which threaten the health, safety, or welfare of children in care and when one or more of the following conditions are present:

(i) The facility is operating without a permit;

(i) The facility is operating without a permit;

(ii) The department has denied application for permit or has initiated action to revoke the existing permit of the facility; or

(ii) The department has denied application for permit or has initiated action to revoke the existing permit of the facility; or

(iii) Children are suspected of being subjected to injury or life-threatening situations or the health or safety of the child or children is in danger.

(iii) Children are suspected of being subjected to injury or life-threatening situations or the health or safety of the child or children is in danger.

(B) A monitor may be placed in a facility for no more than ten consecutive calendar days, during which time the monitor shall observe conditions and regulatory compliance with any recommended remedial action of the department. Upon expiration of the ten-day period, should the conditions warrant, the initial ten-day period may be extended for an additional ten-day period. The monitor shall report to the department. The monitor shall not assume any administrative responsibility within the facility, nor shall the monitor be liable for any actions of the facility. The salary and related costs and travel and subsistence allowance as defined by department policy of placing a monitor in a facility shall be reimbursed to the department by the facility, unless the order placing the monitor is determined to be invalid in a contested case or by final adjudication by a court of competent jurisdiction, in which event the cost shall be paid by the department.

(B) A monitor may be placed in a facility for no more than ten consecutive calendar days, during which time the monitor shall observe conditions and regulatory compliance with any recommended remedial action of the department. Upon expiration of the ten-day period, should the conditions warrant, the initial ten-day period may be extended for an additional ten-day period. The monitor shall report to the department. The monitor shall not assume any administrative responsibility within the facility, nor shall the monitor be liable for any actions of the facility. The salary and related costs and travel and subsistence allowance as defined by department policy of placing a monitor in a facility shall be reimbursed to the department by the facility, unless the order placing the monitor is determined to be invalid in a contested case or by final adjudication by a court of competent jurisdiction, in which event the cost shall be paid by the department.

(3)(A) The commissioner may order the emergency prohibition of admissions to a child-caring institution other than a day-care facility subject to licensure under this chapter when residents of an institution are in imminent and substantial danger or the institution has failed to correct a violation of departmental permit rules or regulations within a reasonable period of time, as specified in the department's corrective order, and the violation: (i) Could jeopardize the health and safety of the residents in the institution if allowed to remain uncorrected; or (ii) Is a repeat violation over a 12 month period. (B) Admission to an institution may be suspended until the violation has been corrected or until the department has determined that the institution has undertaken the action necessary to effect correction of the violation.

(3)(A) The commissioner may order the emergency prohibition of admissions to a child-caring institution other than a day-care facility subject to licensure under this chapter when residents of an institution are in imminent and substantial danger or the institution has failed to correct a violation of departmental permit rules or regulations within a reasonable period of time, as specified in the department's corrective order, and the violation: (i) Could jeopardize the health and safety of the residents in the institution if allowed to remain uncorrected; or (ii) Is a repeat violation over a 12 month period.

(3)(A) The commissioner may order the emergency prohibition of admissions to a child-caring institution other than a day-care facility subject to licensure under this chapter when residents of an institution are in imminent and substantial danger or the institution has failed to correct a violation of departmental permit rules or regulations within a reasonable period of time, as specified in the department's corrective order, and the violation:

(i) Could jeopardize the health and safety of the residents in the institution if allowed to remain uncorrected; or

(i) Could jeopardize the health and safety of the residents in the institution if allowed to remain uncorrected; or

(ii) Is a repeat violation over a 12 month period.

(ii) Is a repeat violation over a 12 month period.

(B) Admission to an institution may be suspended until the violation has been corrected or until the department has determined that the institution has undertaken the action necessary to effect correction of the violation.

(B) Admission to an institution may be suspended until the violation has been corrected or until the department has determined that the institution has undertaken the action necessary to effect correction of the violation.

(c) An emergency order shall contain the following: (1) The scope of the order; (2) The reasons for the issuance of the order; (3) The effective date of the order if other than the date the order is issued; (4) The person to whom questions regarding the order are to be addressed; and (5) Notice of the right to a preliminary hearing.

(c) An emergency order shall contain the following:

(1) The scope of the order;

(1) The scope of the order;

(2) The reasons for the issuance of the order;

(2) The reasons for the issuance of the order;

(3) The effective date of the order if other than the date the order is issued;

(3) The effective date of the order if other than the date the order is issued;

(4) The person to whom questions regarding the order are to be addressed; and

(4) The person to whom questions regarding the order are to be addressed; and

(5) Notice of the right to a preliminary hearing.

(5) Notice of the right to a preliminary hearing.

(d) Unless otherwise provided in the order, an emergency order shall become effective upon its service. Service of an emergency order may be made upon the owner of the facility, the director of the facility, or any other agent, employee, or person in charge of the facility at the time of the service of the order.

(d) Unless otherwise provided in the order, an emergency order shall become effective upon its service. Service of an emergency order may be made upon the owner of the facility, the director of the facility, or any other agent, employee, or person in charge of the facility at the time of the service of the order.

(e) Prior to issuing an emergency order to order the emergency relocation of residents, to prohibit admissions, or to require placement of a monitor in a facility which has been classified by the department as a child-caring institution or child welfare agency, the commissioner or his designee may consult with persons knowledgeable in the field of child care and a representative of the facility to determine if there is a potential for greater adverse effects on children in care as a result of the emergency order.

(e) Prior to issuing an emergency order to order the emergency relocation of residents, to prohibit admissions, or to require placement of a monitor in a facility which has been classified by the department as a child-caring institution or child welfare agency, the commissioner or his designee may consult with persons knowledgeable in the field of child care and a representative of the facility to determine if there is a potential for greater adverse effects on children in care as a result of the emergency order.
O.C.G.A. § 49-5-12-3 — GA Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 49-5-12-3
Georgia Code Title 49. Social Services § 49-5-12.3
Status: in_force

(a) As used in this Code section, the term: (1) “ Affected agency ” means any state agency, department, division, or office which requires a license or commission from the department for child welfare agencies, including, but not limited to, the Division of Family and Children Services, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, or the Department of Community Health. (2) “ Annual inspection ” means an inspection of a child welfare agency's facility, books, minutes, financial statements, files, employees, programs, and contracts to ensure contract compliance and licensure compliance. (3) “ Child welfare agency ” means any child-caring institution, child-placing agency, children's transition care center, or maternity home. (4) “ Contract compliance ” means adherence to the terms of a contract a child welfare agency has with an affected agency to provide child welfare services. (5) “ Licensure compliance ” means adherence to licensing or commissioning requirements established pursuant to and in accordance with Code Section 49-5-12 .

(a) As used in this Code section, the term:

(1) “ Affected agency ” means any state agency, department, division, or office which requires a license or commission from the department for child welfare agencies, including, but not limited to, the Division of Family and Children Services, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, or the Department of Community Health.

(1) “ Affected agency ” means any state agency, department, division, or office which requires a license or commission from the department for child welfare agencies, including, but not limited to, the Division of Family and Children Services, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, or the Department of Community Health.

(2) “ Annual inspection ” means an inspection of a child welfare agency's facility, books, minutes, financial statements, files, employees, programs, and contracts to ensure contract compliance and licensure compliance.

(2) “ Annual inspection ” means an inspection of a child welfare agency's facility, books, minutes, financial statements, files, employees, programs, and contracts to ensure contract compliance and licensure compliance.

(3) “ Child welfare agency ” means any child-caring institution, child-placing agency, children's transition care center, or maternity home.

(3) “ Child welfare agency ” means any child-caring institution, child-placing agency, children's transition care center, or maternity home.

(4) “ Contract compliance ” means adherence to the terms of a contract a child welfare agency has with an affected agency to provide child welfare services.

(4) “ Contract compliance ” means adherence to the terms of a contract a child welfare agency has with an affected agency to provide child welfare services.

(5) “ Licensure compliance ” means adherence to licensing or commissioning requirements established pursuant to and in accordance with Code Section 49-5-12 .

(5) “ Licensure compliance ” means adherence to licensing or commissioning requirements established pursuant to and in accordance with Code Section 49-5-12 .

(b) The department shall ensure that the annual inspection of each child welfare agency is performed by all affected agencies in a singular coordinated manner. Affected agencies shall not duplicate the annual inspection but shall cooperate and assist the department with the annual inspection. Affected agencies shall share the results of the annual inspection with other applicable affected agencies.

(b) The department shall ensure that the annual inspection of each child welfare agency is performed by all affected agencies in a singular coordinated manner. Affected agencies shall not duplicate the annual inspection but shall cooperate and assist the department with the annual inspection. Affected agencies shall share the results of the annual inspection with other applicable affected agencies.

(c) The annual inspection shall not occur sooner than 330 days or later than 390 days after the date on which the last annual inspection began and shall not exceed five days. Affected agencies may reduce the extent of the annual inspection by reducing the frequency or the extent of the inspection for contract compliance when the child welfare agency has shown an exceptional history of contract compliance as determined upon past scores; provided, however, that such reduction does not violate federal law, court order, or settlement agreement.

(c) The annual inspection shall not occur sooner than 330 days or later than 390 days after the date on which the last annual inspection began and shall not exceed five days. Affected agencies may reduce the extent of the annual inspection by reducing the frequency or the extent of the inspection for contract compliance when the child welfare agency has shown an exceptional history of contract compliance as determined upon past scores; provided, however, that such reduction does not violate federal law, court order, or settlement agreement.

(d) A child welfare agency may contest the results of an annual inspection, in accordance with department rules, by filing a written appeal with the affected agency within ten days of receipt of the affected agency's annual inspection report. Within ten days of receipt of a child welfare agency's written appeal of the annual inspection, the affected agency shall hold a meeting with the child welfare agency. The meeting shall be for the parties to discuss the annual inspection.

(d) A child welfare agency may contest the results of an annual inspection, in accordance with department rules, by filing a written appeal with the affected agency within ten days of receipt of the affected agency's annual inspection report. Within ten days of receipt of a child welfare agency's written appeal of the annual inspection, the affected agency shall hold a meeting with the child welfare agency. The meeting shall be for the parties to discuss the annual inspection.

(e) The annual inspection shall not limit the ability of affected agencies and other state departments, divisions, and agencies to ensure the safety and well-being of children in the care of child welfare agencies or to inspect, investigate, or respond as required by court order, settlement agreement, or federal law.

(e) The annual inspection shall not limit the ability of affected agencies and other state departments, divisions, and agencies to ensure the safety and well-being of children in the care of child welfare agencies or to inspect, investigate, or respond as required by court order, settlement agreement, or federal law.

(f) In consultation with other affected agencies, the department shall promulgate rules and regulations consistent with this Code section, including establishing criteria which must be met in order for a child welfare agency to contest or appeal an evaluation.

(f) In consultation with other affected agencies, the department shall promulgate rules and regulations consistent with this Code section, including establishing criteria which must be met in order for a child welfare agency to contest or appeal an evaluation.

(g) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to affect the ability of any affected agency, in its sole discretion, to contract with any child welfare agency or to exercise the rights of the affected agency under the terms and conditions of any existing contract with a child welfare agency.

(g) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to affect the ability of any affected agency, in its sole discretion, to contract with any child welfare agency or to exercise the rights of the affected agency under the terms and conditions of any existing contract with a child welfare agency.
O.C.G.A. § 49-9-4 — GA Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 49-9-4
Georgia Code Title 49. Social Services § 49-9-4
Status: repealed

(a)(1) The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency is created and established to perform the functions and assume the duties, powers, and authority exercised on June 30, 2012, by the Division of Rehabilitation Services within the Department of Labor including the disability adjudication section, and such division shall be reconstituted as the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency effective July 1, 2012. (2) The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency shall be assigned to the Department of Human Services for administrative purposes only, as prescribed in Code Section 50-4-3 . (3) On and after July 1, 2012, the powers, functions, duties, programs, institutions, and authority of the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency relating to the former Division of Rehabilitation Services within the Department of Labor shall be performed and exercised by the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency pursuant to this article. The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency shall take all necessary steps to ensure continuity of services for the vocational rehabilitation of persons with disabilities during such transfer.

(a)(1) The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency is created and established to perform the functions and assume the duties, powers, and authority exercised on June 30, 2012, by the Division of Rehabilitation Services within the Department of Labor including the disability adjudication section, and such division shall be reconstituted as the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency effective July 1, 2012.

(a)(1) The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency is created and established to perform the functions and assume the duties, powers, and authority exercised on June 30, 2012, by the Division of Rehabilitation Services within the Department of Labor including the disability adjudication section, and such division shall be reconstituted as the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency effective July 1, 2012.

(2) The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency shall be assigned to the Department of Human Services for administrative purposes only, as prescribed in Code Section 50-4-3 .

(2) The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency shall be assigned to the Department of Human Services for administrative purposes only, as prescribed in Code Section 50-4-3 .

(3) On and after July 1, 2012, the powers, functions, duties, programs, institutions, and authority of the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency relating to the former Division of Rehabilitation Services within the Department of Labor shall be performed and exercised by the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency pursuant to this article. The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency shall take all necessary steps to ensure continuity of services for the vocational rehabilitation of persons with disabilities during such transfer.

(3) On and after July 1, 2012, the powers, functions, duties, programs, institutions, and authority of the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency relating to the former Division of Rehabilitation Services within the Department of Labor shall be performed and exercised by the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency pursuant to this article. The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency shall take all necessary steps to ensure continuity of services for the vocational rehabilitation of persons with disabilities during such transfer.

(b) The agency shall be administered by a director appointed pursuant to Code Section 49-9-3 . The policy-making functions which were vested in the Department of Labor pertaining to the Division of Rehabilitation Services are vested in the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency effective July 1, 2012.

(b) The agency shall be administered by a director appointed pursuant to Code Section 49-9-3 . The policy-making functions which were vested in the Department of Labor pertaining to the Division of Rehabilitation Services are vested in the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency effective July 1, 2012.

(c) Any proceedings or other matters pending before the Division of Rehabilitation Services of the Department of Labor on June 30, 2012, which relate to the functions transferred to the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency shall be transferred to the agency on July 1, 2012.

(c) Any proceedings or other matters pending before the Division of Rehabilitation Services of the Department of Labor on June 30, 2012, which relate to the functions transferred to the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency shall be transferred to the agency on July 1, 2012.

(d) The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency shall, from July 1, 2012, assume possession and control of all records, papers, equipment, supplies, office space, and all other tangible property possessed and controlled by the Department of Labor as of June 30, 2012, in the Department of Labor's administration of the Division of Rehabilitation Services. All funds attributable to the Division of Rehabilitation Services and its programs and institutions from state, federal, and any other public or private source shall be transferred to the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency on July 1, 2012.

(d) The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency shall, from July 1, 2012, assume possession and control of all records, papers, equipment, supplies, office space, and all other tangible property possessed and controlled by the Department of Labor as of June 30, 2012, in the Department of Labor's administration of the Division of Rehabilitation Services. All funds attributable to the Division of Rehabilitation Services and its programs and institutions from state, federal, and any other public or private source shall be transferred to the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency on July 1, 2012.

(e) On July 1, 2012, the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency shall receive custody of any state owned real property in the custody of the Department of Labor on June 30, 2012, which pertains to the functions transferred from the Division of Rehabilitation Services to the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency.

(e) On July 1, 2012, the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency shall receive custody of any state owned real property in the custody of the Department of Labor on June 30, 2012, which pertains to the functions transferred from the Division of Rehabilitation Services to the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency.

(f) Prior to July 1, 2012, the Office of Planning and Budget shall calculate, in consultation with the Department of Labor, the amount of all funds of or attributable to the Division of Rehabilitation Services and its programs and institutions from any source that are used to provide administrative or other services within the Department of Labor, including funds from the disability adjudication section, the cost allocation system, and any indirect costs funding from the federal government or any other source. The amount calculated shall be transferred to the agency on July 1, 2012.

(f) Prior to July 1, 2012, the Office of Planning and Budget shall calculate, in consultation with the Department of Labor, the amount of all funds of or attributable to the Division of Rehabilitation Services and its programs and institutions from any source that are used to provide administrative or other services within the Department of Labor, including funds from the disability adjudication section, the cost allocation system, and any indirect costs funding from the federal government or any other source. The amount calculated shall be transferred to the agency on July 1, 2012.

(g) All officers, employees, and agents of the Division of Rehabilitation Services who, on June 30, 2012, are engaged in the performance of a function or duty which shall be vested in the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency on July 1, 2012, by this chapter, shall be automatically transferred to the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency on July 1, 2012. An equivalent number of positions or funds of the Department of Labor which provide administrative support to the Division of Rehabilitation Services shall be transferred to the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency on July 1, 2012. Such persons shall be subject to the employment practices and policies of the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency on and after July 1, 2012, but consistent with the compensation and benefits of other employees of that department holding positions substantially the same as the transferred employees; the compensation and benefits of such transferred employees shall not be reduced. Employees who are subject to the rules of the State Personnel Board and who are transferred to the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency shall retain all existing rights under such rules. Accrued annual and sick leave shall be retained by said employees as employees of the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency. The Department of Labor shall be responsible for payment of the accrued Fair Labor Standards Act compensatory time possessed by said employees. Such accrued compensatory time shall be used by or paid to said employees prior to July 1, 2012.

(g) All officers, employees, and agents of the Division of Rehabilitation Services who, on June 30, 2012, are engaged in the performance of a function or duty which shall be vested in the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency on July 1, 2012, by this chapter, shall be automatically transferred to the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency on July 1, 2012. An equivalent number of positions or funds of the Department of Labor which provide administrative support to the Division of Rehabilitation Services shall be transferred to the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency on July 1, 2012. Such persons shall be subject to the employment practices and policies of the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency on and after July 1, 2012, but consistent with the compensation and benefits of other employees of that department holding positions substantially the same as the transferred employees; the compensation and benefits of such transferred employees shall not be reduced. Employees who are subject to the rules of the State Personnel Board and who are transferred to the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency shall retain all existing rights under such rules. Accrued annual and sick leave shall be retained by said employees as employees of the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency. The Department of Labor shall be responsible for payment of the accrued Fair Labor Standards Act compensatory time possessed by said employees. Such accrued compensatory time shall be used by or paid to said employees prior to July 1, 2012.

(h)(1) The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency is the designated state unit for the vocational rehabilitation program. (2) The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency shall conform to federal standards in all respects necessary for receiving federal grants and the director of the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency is authorized and empowered to effect such changes as may, from time to time, be necessary in order to comply with such standards. (3) The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency shall take all necessary steps to secure at a minimum the same level of benefits provided pursuant to relevant federal statutes and appropriations received by the Division of Rehabilitation Services of the Department of Labor prior to June 30, 2012. The department shall also amend the state plan if necessary to meet federal funding requirements. (4) The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency is authorized to employ, on a full or part-time basis, such medical, psychiatric, social work, supervisory, institutional, and other professional personnel and such clerical and other employees as may be necessary to discharge the duties of the agency under this chapter. The agency is also authorized to contract for such professional services as may be necessary. (5) Classified employees of the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency under this chapter shall in all instances be employed and dismissed in accordance with rules and regulations of the State Personnel Board.

(h)(1) The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency is the designated state unit for the vocational rehabilitation program.

(h)(1) The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency is the designated state unit for the vocational rehabilitation program.

(2) The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency shall conform to federal standards in all respects necessary for receiving federal grants and the director of the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency is authorized and empowered to effect such changes as may, from time to time, be necessary in order to comply with such standards.

(2) The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency shall conform to federal standards in all respects necessary for receiving federal grants and the director of the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency is authorized and empowered to effect such changes as may, from time to time, be necessary in order to comply with such standards.

(3) The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency shall take all necessary steps to secure at a minimum the same level of benefits provided pursuant to relevant federal statutes and appropriations received by the Division of Rehabilitation Services of the Department of Labor prior to June 30, 2012. The department shall also amend the state plan if necessary to meet federal funding requirements.

(3) The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency shall take all necessary steps to secure at a minimum the same level of benefits provided pursuant to relevant federal statutes and appropriations received by the Division of Rehabilitation Services of the Department of Labor prior to June 30, 2012. The department shall also amend the state plan if necessary to meet federal funding requirements.

(4) The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency is authorized to employ, on a full or part-time basis, such medical, psychiatric, social work, supervisory, institutional, and other professional personnel and such clerical and other employees as may be necessary to discharge the duties of the agency under this chapter. The agency is also authorized to contract for such professional services as may be necessary.

(4) The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency is authorized to employ, on a full or part-time basis, such medical, psychiatric, social work, supervisory, institutional, and other professional personnel and such clerical and other employees as may be necessary to discharge the duties of the agency under this chapter. The agency is also authorized to contract for such professional services as may be necessary.

(5) Classified employees of the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency under this chapter shall in all instances be employed and dismissed in accordance with rules and regulations of the State Personnel Board.

(5) Classified employees of the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency under this chapter shall in all instances be employed and dismissed in accordance with rules and regulations of the State Personnel Board.

(i) The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency shall succeed to all rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and administrative orders of the Department of Labor which are in effect on June 30, 2012, and which relate to the functions of the Division of Rehabilitation Services. Such rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and administrative orders shall remain in effect until amended, repealed, superseded, or nullified by proper authority or as otherwise provided by law.

(i) The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency shall succeed to all rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and administrative orders of the Department of Labor which are in effect on June 30, 2012, and which relate to the functions of the Division of Rehabilitation Services. Such rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and administrative orders shall remain in effect until amended, repealed, superseded, or nullified by proper authority or as otherwise provided by law.

(j) The rights, privileges, entitlements, and duties of parties to contracts, leases, agreements, and other transactions entered into before July 1, 2012, by the Department of Labor or the Division of Rehabilitation Services pertaining to the Division of Rehabilitation Services transferred to the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency by this chapter shall continue to exist; and none of these rights, privileges, entitlements, obligations, and duties are impaired or diminished by reason of the transfer of the functions to the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency. In all such instances, the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency shall be substituted for the Department of Labor or the Division of Rehabilitation Services, and the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency shall succeed to the rights, privileges, entitlements, and duties under such contracts, leases, agreements, and other transactions.

(j) The rights, privileges, entitlements, and duties of parties to contracts, leases, agreements, and other transactions entered into before July 1, 2012, by the Department of Labor or the Division of Rehabilitation Services pertaining to the Division of Rehabilitation Services transferred to the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency by this chapter shall continue to exist; and none of these rights, privileges, entitlements, obligations, and duties are impaired or diminished by reason of the transfer of the functions to the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency. In all such instances, the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency shall be substituted for the Department of Labor or the Division of Rehabilitation Services, and the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency shall succeed to the rights, privileges, entitlements, and duties under such contracts, leases, agreements, and other transactions.

(k) The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency shall conform all service delivery regions to the state service delivery regions provided in subsection (a) of Code Section 50-4-7 .

(k) The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency shall conform all service delivery regions to the state service delivery regions provided in subsection (a) of Code Section 50-4-7 .

(l) The duties, powers, and authority to manage and operate the long-term acute care and the inpatient rehabilitation hospitals at the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation shall be transferred to the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia effective July 1, 2015, and the remaining duties, powers, and authority to manage and operate the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation shall remain vested with the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency.

(l) The duties, powers, and authority to manage and operate the long-term acute care and the inpatient rehabilitation hospitals at the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation shall be transferred to the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia effective July 1, 2015, and the remaining duties, powers, and authority to manage and operate the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation shall remain vested with the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency.
O.C.G.A. § 49-7-9 — GA Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 49-7-9
Georgia Code Title 49. Social Services § 49-7-9
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be liberally construed to protect the rights of all individuals to pursue their religious beliefs and to follow the dictates of their own consciences, to prevent the imposition upon any individual of practices offensive to the individual's moral standards, to respect the right of every individual to self-determination in the procreation of children, and to ensure a complete freedom of choice in pursuance of his constitutional rights.
O.C.G.A. § 49-5-8 — GA Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 49-5-8
Georgia Code Title 49. Social Services § 49-5-8
Status: in_force

(a) The Department of Human Services is authorized and empowered, through its own programs and the programs of county or district departments of family and children services, to establish, maintain, extend, and improve throughout the state, within the limits of funds appropriated therefor, programs that will provide: (1) Preventive services as follows: (A) Collecting and disseminating information about the problems of children and youths and providing consultative assistance to groups, public and private, interested in developing programs and services for the prevention, control, and treatment of dependency and delinquency among the children of this state; and (B) Research and demonstration projects designed to add to the store of information about the social and emotional problems of children and youths and improve the methods for dealing with these problems; (2) Child welfare services as follows: (A) Casework services for children and youths and for mothers bearing children out of wedlock, whether living in their own homes or elsewhere, to help overcome problems that result in dependency or delinquency. The department shall be authorized to contract with, certify, or partner with licensed child-placing agencies to assist with or provide such casework services; (B) Protective services that will investigate complaints of abuse or abandonment of children and youths by parents, guardians, custodians, or persons serving in loco parentis and, on the basis of the findings of such investigation, offer social services to such parents, guardians, custodians, or persons serving in loco parentis in relation to the problem or bring the situation to the attention of a law enforcement agency, an appropriate court, or another community agency; (C) Supervising and providing required services and care involved in the interstate placement of children; (D) Homemaker service, or payment of the cost of such service, when needed due to the absence or incapacity of the mother; (E) Boarding care, or payment of maintenance costs, in foster family homes or in group-care facilities for children and youths who cannot be adequately cared for in their own homes; (F) Boarding care or payment of maintenance costs for mothers bearing children out of wedlock prior to, during, and for a reasonable period after childbirth; (G) Day-care services for the care and protection of children whose parents are absent from the home or unable for other reasons to provide parental supervision; and (H) Casework services and care to all children and youths where the parent, custodian, or guardian has placed such children in the custody of the department by voluntary agreement, until such agreement is revoked by the parent, custodian, or guardian upon request that such children be returned to the parent, custodian, or guardian or to another relative or the voluntary agreement expires; provided, however, that nothing in this subparagraph shall prohibit the department from obtaining an order placing such children in its custody in accordance with Article 3 of Chapter 11 of Title 15. The department shall be authorized to contract with, certify, or partner with licensed child-placing agencies to assist with or provide such casework services; (3) Services to courts, upon their request, as follows: (A) Accepting for casework services and care all children and youths whose legal custody is vested in the department by the court; (B) Providing shelter or custodial care for children prior to examination and study or pending court hearing; (C) Making social studies and reports to the court with respect to children and youths as to whom petitions have been filed; and (D) Providing casework services and care or payment of maintenance costs for children and youths who have run away from their home communities within this state, or from their home communities in this state to another state, or from their home communities in another state to this state; paying the costs of returning such runaway children and youths to their home communities; and providing such services, care, or costs for runaway children and youths as may be required under Chapter 4B of this title; (4) Regional group-care facilities for the purpose of: (A) Providing local authorities an alternative to placing any child in a common jail; (B) Shelter care prior to examination and study or pending a hearing before juvenile court; (C) Detention prior to examination and study or pending a hearing before juvenile court; and (D) Study and diagnosis pending determination of treatment or a hearing before juvenile court; (5) Facilities designed to afford specialized and diversified programs, such as forestry camps, ranches, and group residences, for the care, treatment, and training of children and youths of different ages and different emotional, mental, and physical conditions; (6) Regulation of child-placing agencies, child-caring institutions, and maternity homes by: (A) Establishing rules and regulations for and providing consultation on such rules and regulations for all such agencies, institutions, and homes; and (B) Licensing and inspecting periodically all such agencies, institutions, and homes to ensure their adherence to established standards as prescribed by the department; (7) Adoption services, as follows: (A) Supervising the work of all child-placing agencies when funds are made available; (B) Providing services to parents desiring to surrender children for adoption as provided for in adoption statutes; (C) Providing care or payment of maintenance costs for mothers bearing children out of wedlock and children being considered for adoption; (D) Inquiring into the character and reputation of persons making application for the adoption of children; (E) Placing children for adoption; (F) Providing financial assistance to families adopting children once the child has been placed for adoption, determined eligible for assistance, and the adoption assistance agreement has been signed prior to the finalization of the adoption by all parties. Financial assistance may only be granted for hard-to-place children with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities or with other problems for whom it is difficult to find a permanent home. Financial assistance may not exceed 100 percent of the amount that would have been paid for boarding such child in a family foster home and for special services such as medical care not available through insurance or public facilities. Such supplements shall only be available to families who could not provide for the child adequately without continued financial assistance. The department may review the supplements paid at any time but shall review them at least annually to determine the need for continued assistance; (G) Providing payment to a licensed child-placing agency which places a child with special needs who is under the jurisdiction of the department for adoption. Payment may not exceed $5,000.00 for each such adoption arranged by an agency. The board shall define the special needs child. One-half of such payment shall be made at the time of placement and the remaining amount shall be paid when the adoption is finalized. If the adoption disrupts prior to finalization, the state shall be reimbursed by the child-placing agency in an amount calculated on a prorated basis based on length of time the child was in the home and the services provided; and (H) Providing payment to an agency which recruits, educates, or trains potential adoptive or foster parents for preparation in anticipation of adopting or fostering a special needs child. The board shall define the special needs child and set the payment amount by rule and regulation. Upon appropriate documentation of these preplacement services in a timely manner, payments as set by the board shall be made upon enrollment of each potential adoptive or foster parent for such services; (8) Staff development and recruitment programs through in-service training and educational scholarships for personnel as may be necessary to assure efficient and effective administration of the services and care for children and youths authorized in this article. The department is authorized to disburse state funds to match federal funds in order to provide qualified employees with graduate or postgraduate educational scholarships in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the board pursuant to Article VIII, Section VII, Paragraph I of the Constitution of Georgia ; (9) Miscellaneous services, such as providing all medical, hospital, psychiatric, surgical, or dental services or payment of the costs of such services as may be considered appropriate and necessary by competent medical authority to those children subject to the supervision and control of the department without securing prior consent of parents or legal guardians; (10) Preparation, education, and training for foster parents which will provide them with the appropriate knowledge and skills to provide for the needs of foster children, including knowledge and skills relating to the reasonable and prudent parent standard for the participation of the child in age or developmentally appropriate activities, and continue such preparation, as necessary, after the placement of the children. The department shall be authorized to require varying levels of initial and annual training based on the experience of the foster parents, the age and needs of the foster child or children, and whether the foster parents are providing only respite care. All or part of such training may be offered online; (11) Each youth who is leaving foster care by reason of having attained 18 years of age, unless the child has been in foster care for less than six months, with, if the child is eligible to receive such document, an official or certified copy of the United States birth certificate of the child, a social security card issued by the Commissioner of Social Security, health insurance information, a copy of the child's medical records, a driver's license or identification card issued by a state in accordance with the requirements of Section 202 of the REAL ID Act of 2005, and any official documentation necessary to prove that the child was previously in foster care. Provision of records in accordance with this paragraph shall not be considered a violation of subsection (b) of Code Section 49-5-40 ; and (12) Extended care youth services for youths between 18 and 21 years of age as set forth in Article 4A of Chapter 11 of Title 15 and to receive federal reimbursement for providing such services in accordance with 42 U.S.C. Section 675 , as it existed on February 1, 2018.

(a) The Department of Human Services is authorized and empowered, through its own programs and the programs of county or district departments of family and children services, to establish, maintain, extend, and improve throughout the state, within the limits of funds appropriated therefor, programs that will provide:

(1) Preventive services as follows: (A) Collecting and disseminating information about the problems of children and youths and providing consultative assistance to groups, public and private, interested in developing programs and services for the prevention, control, and treatment of dependency and delinquency among the children of this state; and (B) Research and demonstration projects designed to add to the store of information about the social and emotional problems of children and youths and improve the methods for dealing with these problems;

(1) Preventive services as follows:

(A) Collecting and disseminating information about the problems of children and youths and providing consultative assistance to groups, public and private, interested in developing programs and services for the prevention, control, and treatment of dependency and delinquency among the children of this state; and

(A) Collecting and disseminating information about the problems of children and youths and providing consultative assistance to groups, public and private, interested in developing programs and services for the prevention, control, and treatment of dependency and delinquency among the children of this state; and

(B) Research and demonstration projects designed to add to the store of information about the social and emotional problems of children and youths and improve the methods for dealing with these problems;

(B) Research and demonstration projects designed to add to the store of information about the social and emotional problems of children and youths and improve the methods for dealing with these problems;

(2) Child welfare services as follows: (A) Casework services for children and youths and for mothers bearing children out of wedlock, whether living in their own homes or elsewhere, to help overcome problems that result in dependency or delinquency. The department shall be authorized to contract with, certify, or partner with licensed child-placing agencies to assist with or provide such casework services; (B) Protective services that will investigate complaints of abuse or abandonment of children and youths by parents, guardians, custodians, or persons serving in loco parentis and, on the basis of the findings of such investigation, offer social services to such parents, guardians, custodians, or persons serving in loco parentis in relation to the problem or bring the situation to the attention of a law enforcement agency, an appropriate court, or another community agency; (C) Supervising and providing required services and care involved in the interstate placement of children; (D) Homemaker service, or payment of the cost of such service, when needed due to the absence or incapacity of the mother; (E) Boarding care, or payment of maintenance costs, in foster family homes or in group-care facilities for children and youths who cannot be adequately cared for in their own homes; (F) Boarding care or payment of maintenance costs for mothers bearing children out of wedlock prior to, during, and for a reasonable period after childbirth; (G) Day-care services for the care and protection of children whose parents are absent from the home or unable for other reasons to provide parental supervision; and (H) Casework services and care to all children and youths where the parent, custodian, or guardian has placed such children in the custody of the department by voluntary agreement, until such agreement is revoked by the parent, custodian, or guardian upon request that such children be returned to the parent, custodian, or guardian or to another relative or the voluntary agreement expires; provided, however, that nothing in this subparagraph shall prohibit the department from obtaining an order placing such children in its custody in accordance with Article 3 of Chapter 11 of Title 15. The department shall be authorized to contract with, certify, or partner with licensed child-placing agencies to assist with or provide such casework services;

(2) Child welfare services as follows:

(A) Casework services for children and youths and for mothers bearing children out of wedlock, whether living in their own homes or elsewhere, to help overcome problems that result in dependency or delinquency. The department shall be authorized to contract with, certify, or partner with licensed child-placing agencies to assist with or provide such casework services;

(A) Casework services for children and youths and for mothers bearing children out of wedlock, whether living in their own homes or elsewhere, to help overcome problems that result in dependency or delinquency. The department shall be authorized to contract with, certify, or partner with licensed child-placing agencies to assist with or provide such casework services;

(B) Protective services that will investigate complaints of abuse or abandonment of children and youths by parents, guardians, custodians, or persons serving in loco parentis and, on the basis of the findings of such investigation, offer social services to such parents, guardians, custodians, or persons serving in loco parentis in relation to the problem or bring the situation to the attention of a law enforcement agency, an appropriate court, or another community agency;

(B) Protective services that will investigate complaints of abuse or abandonment of children and youths by parents, guardians, custodians, or persons serving in loco parentis and, on the basis of the findings of such investigation, offer social services to such parents, guardians, custodians, or persons serving in loco parentis in relation to the problem or bring the situation to the attention of a law enforcement agency, an appropriate court, or another community agency;

(C) Supervising and providing required services and care involved in the interstate placement of children;

(C) Supervising and providing required services and care involved in the interstate placement of children;

(D) Homemaker service, or payment of the cost of such service, when needed due to the absence or incapacity of the mother;

(D) Homemaker service, or payment of the cost of such service, when needed due to the absence or incapacity of the mother;

(E) Boarding care, or payment of maintenance costs, in foster family homes or in group-care facilities for children and youths who cannot be adequately cared for in their own homes;

(E) Boarding care, or payment of maintenance costs, in foster family homes or in group-care facilities for children and youths who cannot be adequately cared for in their own homes;

(F) Boarding care or payment of maintenance costs for mothers bearing children out of wedlock prior to, during, and for a reasonable period after childbirth;

(F) Boarding care or payment of maintenance costs for mothers bearing children out of wedlock prior to, during, and for a reasonable period after childbirth;

(G) Day-care services for the care and protection of children whose parents are absent from the home or unable for other reasons to provide parental supervision; and

(G) Day-care services for the care and protection of children whose parents are absent from the home or unable for other reasons to provide parental supervision; and

(H) Casework services and care to all children and youths where the parent, custodian, or guardian has placed such children in the custody of the department by voluntary agreement, until such agreement is revoked by the parent, custodian, or guardian upon request that such children be returned to the parent, custodian, or guardian or to another relative or the voluntary agreement expires; provided, however, that nothing in this subparagraph shall prohibit the department from obtaining an order placing such children in its custody in accordance with Article 3 of Chapter 11 of Title 15. The department shall be authorized to contract with, certify, or partner with licensed child-placing agencies to assist with or provide such casework services;

(H) Casework services and care to all children and youths where the parent, custodian, or guardian has placed such children in the custody of the department by voluntary agreement, until such agreement is revoked by the parent, custodian, or guardian upon request that such children be returned to the parent, custodian, or guardian or to another relative or the voluntary agreement expires; provided, however, that nothing in this subparagraph shall prohibit the department from obtaining an order placing such children in its custody in accordance with Article 3 of Chapter 11 of Title 15. The department shall be authorized to contract with, certify, or partner with licensed child-placing agencies to assist with or provide such casework services;

(3) Services to courts, upon their request, as follows: (A) Accepting for casework services and care all children and youths whose legal custody is vested in the department by the court; (B) Providing shelter or custodial care for children prior to examination and study or pending court hearing; (C) Making social studies and reports to the court with respect to children and youths as to whom petitions have been filed; and (D) Providing casework services and care or payment of maintenance costs for children and youths who have run away from their home communities within this state, or from their home communities in this state to another state, or from their home communities in another state to this state; paying the costs of returning such runaway children and youths to their home communities; and providing such services, care, or costs for runaway children and youths as may be required under Chapter 4B of this title;

(3) Services to courts, upon their request, as follows:

(A) Accepting for casework services and care all children and youths whose legal custody is vested in the department by the court;

(A) Accepting for casework services and care all children and youths whose legal custody is vested in the department by the court;

(B) Providing shelter or custodial care for children prior to examination and study or pending court hearing;

(B) Providing shelter or custodial care for children prior to examination and study or pending court hearing;

(C) Making social studies and reports to the court with respect to children and youths as to whom petitions have been filed; and

(C) Making social studies and reports to the court with respect to children and youths as to whom petitions have been filed; and

(D) Providing casework services and care or payment of maintenance costs for children and youths who have run away from their home communities within this state, or from their home communities in this state to another state, or from their home communities in another state to this state; paying the costs of returning such runaway children and youths to their home communities; and providing such services, care, or costs for runaway children and youths as may be required under Chapter 4B of this title;

(D) Providing casework services and care or payment of maintenance costs for children and youths who have run away from their home communities within this state, or from their home communities in this state to another state, or from their home communities in another state to this state; paying the costs of returning such runaway children and youths to their home communities; and providing such services, care, or costs for runaway children and youths as may be required under Chapter 4B of this title;

(4) Regional group-care facilities for the purpose of: (A) Providing local authorities an alternative to placing any child in a common jail; (B) Shelter care prior to examination and study or pending a hearing before juvenile court; (C) Detention prior to examination and study or pending a hearing before juvenile court; and (D) Study and diagnosis pending determination of treatment or a hearing before juvenile court;

(4) Regional group-care facilities for the purpose of:

(A) Providing local authorities an alternative to placing any child in a common jail;

(A) Providing local authorities an alternative to placing any child in a common jail;

(B) Shelter care prior to examination and study or pending a hearing before juvenile court;

(B) Shelter care prior to examination and study or pending a hearing before juvenile court;

(C) Detention prior to examination and study or pending a hearing before juvenile court; and

(C) Detention prior to examination and study or pending a hearing before juvenile court; and

(D) Study and diagnosis pending determination of treatment or a hearing before juvenile court;

(D) Study and diagnosis pending determination of treatment or a hearing before juvenile court;

(5) Facilities designed to afford specialized and diversified programs, such as forestry camps, ranches, and group residences, for the care, treatment, and training of children and youths of different ages and different emotional, mental, and physical conditions;

(5) Facilities designed to afford specialized and diversified programs, such as forestry camps, ranches, and group residences, for the care, treatment, and training of children and youths of different ages and different emotional, mental, and physical conditions;

(6) Regulation of child-placing agencies, child-caring institutions, and maternity homes by: (A) Establishing rules and regulations for and providing consultation on such rules and regulations for all such agencies, institutions, and homes; and (B) Licensing and inspecting periodically all such agencies, institutions, and homes to ensure their adherence to established standards as prescribed by the department;

(6) Regulation of child-placing agencies, child-caring institutions, and maternity homes by:

(A) Establishing rules and regulations for and providing consultation on such rules and regulations for all such agencies, institutions, and homes; and

(A) Establishing rules and regulations for and providing consultation on such rules and regulations for all such agencies, institutions, and homes; and

(B) Licensing and inspecting periodically all such agencies, institutions, and homes to ensure their adherence to established standards as prescribed by the department;

(B) Licensing and inspecting periodically all such agencies, institutions, and homes to ensure their adherence to established standards as prescribed by the department;

(7) Adoption services, as follows: (A) Supervising the work of all child-placing agencies when funds are made available; (B) Providing services to parents desiring to surrender children for adoption as provided for in adoption statutes; (C) Providing care or payment of maintenance costs for mothers bearing children out of wedlock and children being considered for adoption; (D) Inquiring into the character and reputation of persons making application for the adoption of children; (E) Placing children for adoption; (F) Providing financial assistance to families adopting children once the child has been placed for adoption, determined eligible for assistance, and the adoption assistance agreement has been signed prior to the finalization of the adoption by all parties. Financial assistance may only be granted for hard-to-place children with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities or with other problems for whom it is difficult to find a permanent home. Financial assistance may not exceed 100 percent of the amount that would have been paid for boarding such child in a family foster home and for special services such as medical care not available through insurance or public facilities. Such supplements shall only be available to families who could not provide for the child adequately without continued financial assistance. The department may review the supplements paid at any time but shall review them at least annually to determine the need for continued assistance; (G) Providing payment to a licensed child-placing agency which places a child with special needs who is under the jurisdiction of the department for adoption. Payment may not exceed $5,000.00 for each such adoption arranged by an agency. The board shall define the special needs child. One-half of such payment shall be made at the time of placement and the remaining amount shall be paid when the adoption is finalized. If the adoption disrupts prior to finalization, the state shall be reimbursed by the child-placing agency in an amount calculated on a prorated basis based on length of time the child was in the home and the services provided; and (H) Providing payment to an agency which recruits, educates, or trains potential adoptive or foster parents for preparation in anticipation of adopting or fostering a special needs child. The board shall define the special needs child and set the payment amount by rule and regulation. Upon appropriate documentation of these preplacement services in a timely manner, payments as set by the board shall be made upon enrollment of each potential adoptive or foster parent for such services;

(7) Adoption services, as follows:

(A) Supervising the work of all child-placing agencies when funds are made available;

(A) Supervising the work of all child-placing agencies when funds are made available;

(B) Providing services to parents desiring to surrender children for adoption as provided for in adoption statutes;

(B) Providing services to parents desiring to surrender children for adoption as provided for in adoption statutes;

(C) Providing care or payment of maintenance costs for mothers bearing children out of wedlock and children being considered for adoption;

(C) Providing care or payment of maintenance costs for mothers bearing children out of wedlock and children being considered for adoption;

(D) Inquiring into the character and reputation of persons making application for the adoption of children;

(D) Inquiring into the character and reputation of persons making application for the adoption of children;

(E) Placing children for adoption;

(E) Placing children for adoption;

(F) Providing financial assistance to families adopting children once the child has been placed for adoption, determined eligible for assistance, and the adoption assistance agreement has been signed prior to the finalization of the adoption by all parties. Financial assistance may only be granted for hard-to-place children with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities or with other problems for whom it is difficult to find a permanent home. Financial assistance may not exceed 100 percent of the amount that would have been paid for boarding such child in a family foster home and for special services such as medical care not available through insurance or public facilities. Such supplements shall only be available to families who could not provide for the child adequately without continued financial assistance. The department may review the supplements paid at any time but shall review them at least annually to determine the need for continued assistance;

(F) Providing financial assistance to families adopting children once the child has been placed for adoption, determined eligible for assistance, and the adoption assistance agreement has been signed prior to the finalization of the adoption by all parties. Financial assistance may only be granted for hard-to-place children with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities or with other problems for whom it is difficult to find a permanent home. Financial assistance may not exceed 100 percent of the amount that would have been paid for boarding such child in a family foster home and for special services such as medical care not available through insurance or public facilities. Such supplements shall only be available to families who could not provide for the child adequately without continued financial assistance. The department may review the supplements paid at any time but shall review them at least annually to determine the need for continued assistance;

(G) Providing payment to a licensed child-placing agency which places a child with special needs who is under the jurisdiction of the department for adoption. Payment may not exceed $5,000.00 for each such adoption arranged by an agency. The board shall define the special needs child. One-half of such payment shall be made at the time of placement and the remaining amount shall be paid when the adoption is finalized. If the adoption disrupts prior to finalization, the state shall be reimbursed by the child-placing agency in an amount calculated on a prorated basis based on length of time the child was in the home and the services provided; and

(G) Providing payment to a licensed child-placing agency which places a child with special needs who is under the jurisdiction of the department for adoption. Payment may not exceed $5,000.00 for each such adoption arranged by an agency. The board shall define the special needs child. One-half of such payment shall be made at the time of placement and the remaining amount shall be paid when the adoption is finalized. If the adoption disrupts prior to finalization, the state shall be reimbursed by the child-placing agency in an amount calculated on a prorated basis based on length of time the child was in the home and the services provided; and

(H) Providing payment to an agency which recruits, educates, or trains potential adoptive or foster parents for preparation in anticipation of adopting or fostering a special needs child. The board shall define the special needs child and set the payment amount by rule and regulation. Upon appropriate documentation of these preplacement services in a timely manner, payments as set by the board shall be made upon enrollment of each potential adoptive or foster parent for such services;

(H) Providing payment to an agency which recruits, educates, or trains potential adoptive or foster parents for preparation in anticipation of adopting or fostering a special needs child. The board shall define the special needs child and set the payment amount by rule and regulation. Upon appropriate documentation of these preplacement services in a timely manner, payments as set by the board shall be made upon enrollment of each potential adoptive or foster parent for such services;

(8) Staff development and recruitment programs through in-service training and educational scholarships for personnel as may be necessary to assure efficient and effective administration of the services and care for children and youths authorized in this article. The department is authorized to disburse state funds to match federal funds in order to provide qualified employees with graduate or postgraduate educational scholarships in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the board pursuant to Article VIII, Section VII, Paragraph I of the Constitution of Georgia ;

(8) Staff development and recruitment programs through in-service training and educational scholarships for personnel as may be necessary to assure efficient and effective administration of the services and care for children and youths authorized in this article. The department is authorized to disburse state funds to match federal funds in order to provide qualified employees with graduate or postgraduate educational scholarships in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the board pursuant to Article VIII, Section VII, Paragraph I of the Constitution of Georgia ;

(9) Miscellaneous services, such as providing all medical, hospital, psychiatric, surgical, or dental services or payment of the costs of such services as may be considered appropriate and necessary by competent medical authority to those children subject to the supervision and control of the department without securing prior consent of parents or legal guardians;

(9) Miscellaneous services, such as providing all medical, hospital, psychiatric, surgical, or dental services or payment of the costs of such services as may be considered appropriate and necessary by competent medical authority to those children subject to the supervision and control of the department without securing prior consent of parents or legal guardians;

(10) Preparation, education, and training for foster parents which will provide them with the appropriate knowledge and skills to provide for the needs of foster children, including knowledge and skills relating to the reasonable and prudent parent standard for the participation of the child in age or developmentally appropriate activities, and continue such preparation, as necessary, after the placement of the children. The department shall be authorized to require varying levels of initial and annual training based on the experience of the foster parents, the age and needs of the foster child or children, and whether the foster parents are providing only respite care. All or part of such training may be offered online;

(10) Preparation, education, and training for foster parents which will provide them with the appropriate knowledge and skills to provide for the needs of foster children, including knowledge and skills relating to the reasonable and prudent parent standard for the participation of the child in age or developmentally appropriate activities, and continue such preparation, as necessary, after the placement of the children. The department shall be authorized to require varying levels of initial and annual training based on the experience of the foster parents, the age and needs of the foster child or children, and whether the foster parents are providing only respite care. All or part of such training may be offered online;

(11) Each youth who is leaving foster care by reason of having attained 18 years of age, unless the child has been in foster care for less than six months, with, if the child is eligible to receive such document, an official or certified copy of the United States birth certificate of the child, a social security card issued by the Commissioner of Social Security, health insurance information, a copy of the child's medical records, a driver's license or identification card issued by a state in accordance with the requirements of Section 202 of the REAL ID Act of 2005, and any official documentation necessary to prove that the child was previously in foster care. Provision of records in accordance with this paragraph shall not be considered a violation of subsection (b) of Code Section 49-5-40 ; and

(11) Each youth who is leaving foster care by reason of having attained 18 years of age, unless the child has been in foster care for less than six months, with, if the child is eligible to receive such document, an official or certified copy of the United States birth certificate of the child, a social security card issued by the Commissioner of Social Security, health insurance information, a copy of the child's medical records, a driver's license or identification card issued by a state in accordance with the requirements of Section 202 of the REAL ID Act of 2005, and any official documentation necessary to prove that the child was previously in foster care. Provision of records in accordance with this paragraph shall not be considered a violation of subsection (b) of Code Section 49-5-40 ; and

(12) Extended care youth services for youths between 18 and 21 years of age as set forth in Article 4A of Chapter 11 of Title 15 and to receive federal reimbursement for providing such services in accordance with 42 U.S.C. Section 675 , as it existed on February 1, 2018.

(12) Extended care youth services for youths between 18 and 21 years of age as set forth in Article 4A of Chapter 11 of Title 15 and to receive federal reimbursement for providing such services in accordance with 42 U.S.C. Section 675 , as it existed on February 1, 2018.

(b) The department is authorized to perform such other duties as may be required under related statutes.

(b) The department is authorized to perform such other duties as may be required under related statutes.

(c)(1) As used in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the term “state” means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or any territory or possession of or territory or possession administered by the United States. (2) The Department of Human Services is authorized to enter into interstate compacts, on behalf of this state, with other states to provide for the reciprocal provision of adoption assistance services. (3) The purpose of paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection is to comply with the requirements of the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980 ( P.L. 96-272 ) and Part E of Title IV of the Social Security Act 1 and to assure that recipients of adoption assistance in Georgia who change their residences to other states receive adoption assistance services, other than adoption assistance payments, from their new states of residence.

(c)(1) As used in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the term “state” means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or any territory or possession of or territory or possession administered by the United States.

(c)(1) As used in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the term “state” means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or any territory or possession of or territory or possession administered by the United States.

(2) The Department of Human Services is authorized to enter into interstate compacts, on behalf of this state, with other states to provide for the reciprocal provision of adoption assistance services.

(2) The Department of Human Services is authorized to enter into interstate compacts, on behalf of this state, with other states to provide for the reciprocal provision of adoption assistance services.

(3) The purpose of paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection is to comply with the requirements of the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980 ( P.L. 96-272 ) and Part E of Title IV of the Social Security Act 1 and to assure that recipients of adoption assistance in Georgia who change their residences to other states receive adoption assistance services, other than adoption assistance payments, from their new states of residence.

(3) The purpose of paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection is to comply with the requirements of the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980 ( P.L. 96-272 ) and Part E of Title IV of the Social Security Act 1 and to assure that recipients of adoption assistance in Georgia who change their residences to other states receive adoption assistance services, other than adoption assistance payments, from their new states of residence.

(d)(1) As used in this subsection, the term “ sexually exploited child ” shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code Section 15-21-201 . (2) The department, in consultation with the Office of the Child Advocate for the Protection of Children, the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, and law enforcement officials, shall develop a plan for the delivery of services to sexually exploited children, victims of trafficking of persons for labor servitude, and such children and persons who are at risk of becoming victims of such offenses. In developing such plan, the department shall work with state and federal agencies, public and private entities, and other stakeholders as it deems appropriate and shall periodically review such plans to ensure appropriate services are being delivered. Such plan shall include: (A) Identifying children who need services; (B) Providing assistance with applications for federal and state benefits, compensation, and services; (C) Coordinating the delivery of physical and mental health, housing, education, job training, child care, legal, and other services; (D) Preparing and disseminating educational and training materials to increase awareness of available services; (E) Developing and maintaining community based services; (F) Providing assistance with family reunification or repatriation to a country of origin; and (G) Providing law enforcement officials assistance in identifying children in need of such services.

(d)(1) As used in this subsection, the term “ sexually exploited child ” shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code Section 15-21-201 .

(d)(1) As used in this subsection, the term “ sexually exploited child ” shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code Section 15-21-201 .

(2) The department, in consultation with the Office of the Child Advocate for the Protection of Children, the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, and law enforcement officials, shall develop a plan for the delivery of services to sexually exploited children, victims of trafficking of persons for labor servitude, and such children and persons who are at risk of becoming victims of such offenses. In developing such plan, the department shall work with state and federal agencies, public and private entities, and other stakeholders as it deems appropriate and shall periodically review such plans to ensure appropriate services are being delivered. Such plan shall include: (A) Identifying children who need services; (B) Providing assistance with applications for federal and state benefits, compensation, and services; (C) Coordinating the delivery of physical and mental health, housing, education, job training, child care, legal, and other services; (D) Preparing and disseminating educational and training materials to increase awareness of available services; (E) Developing and maintaining community based services; (F) Providing assistance with family reunification or repatriation to a country of origin; and (G) Providing law enforcement officials assistance in identifying children in need of such services.

(2) The department, in consultation with the Office of the Child Advocate for the Protection of Children, the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, and law enforcement officials, shall develop a plan for the delivery of services to sexually exploited children, victims of trafficking of persons for labor servitude, and such children and persons who are at risk of becoming victims of such offenses. In developing such plan, the department shall work with state and federal agencies, public and private entities, and other stakeholders as it deems appropriate and shall periodically review such plans to ensure appropriate services are being delivered. Such plan shall include:

(A) Identifying children who need services;

(A) Identifying children who need services;

(B) Providing assistance with applications for federal and state benefits, compensation, and services;

(B) Providing assistance with applications for federal and state benefits, compensation, and services;

(C) Coordinating the delivery of physical and mental health, housing, education, job training, child care, legal, and other services;

(C) Coordinating the delivery of physical and mental health, housing, education, job training, child care, legal, and other services;

(D) Preparing and disseminating educational and training materials to increase awareness of available services;

(D) Preparing and disseminating educational and training materials to increase awareness of available services;

(E) Developing and maintaining community based services;

(E) Developing and maintaining community based services;

(F) Providing assistance with family reunification or repatriation to a country of origin; and

(F) Providing assistance with family reunification or repatriation to a country of origin; and

(G) Providing law enforcement officials assistance in identifying children in need of such services.

(G) Providing law enforcement officials assistance in identifying children in need of such services.

1 42 U.S.C.A. § 670 et seq.
O.C.G.A. § 49-5-63 — GA Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 49-5-63
Georgia Code Title 49. Social Services § 49-5-63
Status: in_force

After being furnished the required records check application under Code Section 49-5-62 , the department shall notify in writing the license applicant as to each person for whom an application was received regarding whether the department's determination as to that person's state fingerprint records check was satisfactory or unsatisfactory. If the preliminary records check determination was satisfactory as to each employee of an applicant's facility and the state fingerprint records check was satisfactory as to the director, that applicant may be issued a license for that facility if the applicant otherwise qualifies for a license under Article 1 of this chapter. If the state or national fingerprint records check determination was unsatisfactory as to the director of an applicant's facility, the applicant shall designate another director for that facility after receiving notification of the determination and proceed under Code Section 49-5-62 and this Code section to obtain state and national fingerprint records checks for that newly designated director. If the preliminary records check for any employee other than the director revealed a criminal record of any kind, such employee shall not be allowed to work in the center until he or she either has obtained state and national fingerprint records check determinations that are satisfactory or has had the unsatisfactory determination reversed in accordance with Code Section 49-5-73 . If the determination was unsatisfactory as to any employee of an applicant's facility, the applicant shall, after receiving notification of that determination, take such steps as are necessary so that such person is no longer an employee. Any employee other than the director who receives a preliminary records check determination that is satisfactory shall not be required to obtain a fingerprint records check when fingerprints have been retained by the department due to its participation in the program described in subparagraph (a)(1)(F) of Code Section 35-3-33 , unless such an employee has been designated as a director or as permitted by the provisions of subsection (c) of Code Section 49-5-69 .
O.C.G.A. § 49-6-3 — GA Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 49-6-3
Georgia Code Title 49. Social Services § 49-6-3
Status: in_force

Without limiting the foregoing, the department is authorized to:

(1) Promote the health of and medical services for the aging in working with professional associations, hospitals, and institutions;

(1) Promote the health of and medical services for the aging in working with professional associations, hospitals, and institutions;

(2) Promote the rehabilitation of incapacitated older persons;

(2) Promote the rehabilitation of incapacitated older persons;

(3) Establish a state-wide coordinated program with participation of employers, employee's organizations, and state and local agencies to promote greater and more suitable employment opportunities for older persons;

(3) Establish a state-wide coordinated program with participation of employers, employee's organizations, and state and local agencies to promote greater and more suitable employment opportunities for older persons;

(4) Establish a program of research and education on housing of the aged by either public or private means as well as by the establishment of self-sustaining cooperative dwelling projects for aging persons;

(4) Establish a program of research and education on housing of the aged by either public or private means as well as by the establishment of self-sustaining cooperative dwelling projects for aging persons;

(5) Plan and promote recreational facilities for the aging;

(5) Plan and promote recreational facilities for the aging;

(6) Develop a program of adult education designed for older persons on subjects of particular concern to them;

(6) Develop a program of adult education designed for older persons on subjects of particular concern to them;

(7) Encourage the further research in the colleges and universities of the state on problems of the aging;

(7) Encourage the further research in the colleges and universities of the state on problems of the aging;

(8) Encourage training of personnel to handle problems of the aging;

(8) Encourage training of personnel to handle problems of the aging;

(9) Promote community education in the problems of older people through institutes, publications, radio, television, and the press;

(9) Promote community education in the problems of older people through institutes, publications, radio, television, and the press;

(10) Provide consultation to communities and groups developing state-wide or local services for older people;

(10) Provide consultation to communities and groups developing state-wide or local services for older people;

(11) Provide consultation to the various departments of state government concerning matters relating to the aging;

(11) Provide consultation to the various departments of state government concerning matters relating to the aging;

(12) Inquire into and make recommendations to the appropriate agencies, public or private, on any matter affecting the behavior, care, or welfare of the aging;

(12) Inquire into and make recommendations to the appropriate agencies, public or private, on any matter affecting the behavior, care, or welfare of the aging;

(13) Enlist the aid of public and private agencies concerned with the welfare of the aging; and study and report on the functions and facilities of governmental agencies and institutions charged with the care, control, protection, and rehabilitation of the aging;

(13) Enlist the aid of public and private agencies concerned with the welfare of the aging; and study and report on the functions and facilities of governmental agencies and institutions charged with the care, control, protection, and rehabilitation of the aging;

(14) Serve as a communications clearing-house for information in the large and complex fields of human relationship in respect to aging;

(14) Serve as a communications clearing-house for information in the large and complex fields of human relationship in respect to aging;

(15) Conduct or participate financially in conducting demonstration projects with counties, municipalities, or public or private agencies concerned with problems of the aging;

(15) Conduct or participate financially in conducting demonstration projects with counties, municipalities, or public or private agencies concerned with problems of the aging;

(16) Do any other thing it deems necessary to promote the health and well-being of the aging citizens of this state not inconsistent with the purposes of this article or the public policies of this state; and

(16) Do any other thing it deems necessary to promote the health and well-being of the aging citizens of this state not inconsistent with the purposes of this article or the public policies of this state; and

(17) Appoint such committees, on a nonpay basis, as it deems necessary for carrying out the purposes of this article.

(17) Appoint such committees, on a nonpay basis, as it deems necessary for carrying out the purposes of this article.