As used in this title, the term:    Addictive disease means a chronic, often relapsing, brain disease that causes compulsive alcohol or drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences to the individual who is addicted and to those around him or her.   Board means the Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.   Commissioner means the commissioner of behavioral health and developmental disabilities.   Community service board means a public mental health, developmental disabilities, and addictive diseases board established pursuant to Code Section 37-2-6.   Consumer means a natural person who has been or is a recipient of disability services.   County board of health means a county board of health established in accordance with Chapter 3 of Title 31 and includes its duly authorized agents.   Department means the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and includes its duly authorized agents and designees.   Developmental disability means a severe, chronic disability of an individual that:   Is attributable to a significant intellectual disability, or any combination of a significant intellectual disability and physical impairments;   Is manifested before the individual attains age 22;   Is likely to continue indefinitely;   Results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activities:   Self-care;   Receptive and expressive language;   Learning;   Mobility;   Self-direction; and   Capacity for independent living; and     Reflects the persons need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic services, individualized supports, or other forms of assistance which are of lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated.     Disability means:   Mental or emotional illness;   Developmental disability; or   Addictive disease.     Disability services means services to the disabled or services which are designed to prevent or ameliorate the effect of a disability.   Disabled means any person or persons having a disability.   (11.1)  Mental health care agent means an agent appointed under a psychiatric advance directive in accordance with Chapter 11 of Title 37.    Mental illness means a disorder of thought or mood which significantly impairs judgment, behavior, capacity to recognize reality, or ability to cope with the ordinary demands of life.   Mentally ill means having a mental illness.   Peace officer means any federal, city, or county police officer, any officer of the Georgia State Patrol, or any sheriff or deputy sheriff.   Penal offense means a violation of a law of the United States, this state, or a political subdivision thereof for which the offender may be confined in a state prison or a city or county jail or any other penal institution.   Physician means any person duly authorized to practice medicine in this state under Chapter 34 of Title 43.   (16.1)  Psychiatric advance directive means a written document voluntarily executed by an individual in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 37-11-9.    Psychologist means any person duly licensed to practice psychology in this state under Chapter 39 of Title 43.   Regional board means a regional board established in accordance with Code Section 37-2-4.1 as that Code section existed on June 30, 2002.   Regional coordinator means an employee of the department who acts as the departments agent and designee to manage community services for consumers of disability services within a mental health, developmental disabilities, and addictive diseases region established in accordance with Code Section 37-2-3.   Regional office means an office created pursuant to Code Section 37-2-4.1. Such office shall be an office of the department and serve as the entity for the administration of disability services in a region.   Regional planning board means a planning board established in accordance with Code Section 37-2-4.1.   Regional services administrator means an employee of the department who, under the supervision of the regional coordinator, manages the purchase or authorization of services, or both, for consumers of disability services, the assessment and coordination of services, and ongoing monitoring and evaluation of services provided within a region established in accordance with Code Section 37-2-3.   Regional state hospital administrator means the chief administrative officer of a state owned or state operated hospital and the state owned or operated community programs in a region. The regional state hospital administrator has overall management responsibility for the regional state hospital and manages services provided by employees of the regional state hospital and employees of state owned or operated community programs within a mental health, developmental disabilities, and addictive diseases region established in accordance with Code Section 37-2-3.   Resident means a person who is a legal resident of the State of Georgia.   State mental health facility means, for purposes of this title and Title 31, a hospital, inpatient unit, or other institution operated by or under contract with the department for its operation, including the replacement or reorganization of the facility.     History.  Ga. L. 1958, p. 697,  1; Ga. L. 1960, p. 837,  1; Code 1933,  88-501, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1982, p. 3,  37; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  6; Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  5; Ga. L. 1994, p. 97,  37; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-6, 2-1; Ga. L. 2006, p. 310,  2/HB 1223; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228; Ga. L. 2016, p. 257,  7/SB 319; Ga. L. 2022, p. 611,  2-20/HB 752.    The 2022 amendment,  effective July 1, 2022, added paragraphs (11.1) and (16.1).    Code Commission notes.    Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 2009, a semicolon was deleted from the end of paragraph (2), a second subdivision (8)(D)(ii) was redesignated as subdivision (8)(D)(iii), and the definitions in paragraphs (12) and (13) were arranged in alphabetical order.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which amends this Code section, provides, in  19.1, not codified by the General Assembly, that the amendment is repealed on June 30, 1999; however, Ga. L. 1998, p. 870,  1, struck  19.1 of Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which would have repealed the 1993 amendment to this Code section.   Ga. L. 2006, p. 310,  10/HB 1223, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to affect or abate any right accrued or vested prior to July 1, 2006, or any action or proceeding commenced prior to July 1, 2006, under any law amended or repealed by this Act.   Ga. L. 2006, p. 310,  11/HB 1223, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that those provisions of that Act which authorize community service boards to amend their bylaws and authorize county governing authorities to appoint no sooner than May 1, 2006, any community service board members to take office on July 1, 2006, shall become effective April 21, 2006.   Ga. L. 2016, p. 257,  1/SB 319, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: The General Assembly finds that the mental health and wellness needs of Georgias citizens require the availability of trained mental health professionals who can accurately diagnose, treat, prescribe, and appropriately assess the mental and emotional illnesses, disorders, and conditions from which they suffer and the vocational, educational, interpersonal, and intrapersonal needs essential to living and learning how to live productive and useful lives. It is the intent of the General Assembly to assure geographical and financial access for all of Georgias citizens to excellent mental health services to the extent that Georgias resources and regulations permit. To these ends, Georgia regulates its licensed psychiatrists, psychologists, professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, and clinical social workers who provide graduate level professional services to Georgias private and public mental health services and to its public mental health, educational, and vocational support systems. The General Assembly seeks in such regulatory process to protect the public and assure it receives high quality and appropriate services and to define the scopes of practice and diagnostic authority for each of these professional groups consistent with the graduate level training and supervision, or its equivalent, that the members of each profession have sought and successfully completed. The General Assembly has empowered and authorized the Georgia Composite Medical Board, the State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, and the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists to fulfill these responsibilities and expects them to work together to assure a continuum of professional services that ensure appropriate diagnostic and assessment functions for each profession and the psychotherapeutic and counseling treatment services appropriate to each profession. The General Assembly recognizes that advances in medicine, science, education, training, and service delivery occur constantly in our modern history and therefore also expects the regulatory boards for each profession to assure that its licensees seek and successfully complete appropriate continuing education and training for the functions and services authorized to each profession.    Law reviews.    For note on 1991 amendment of this Code section, see 8 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 121 (1992).   For article, Courts: General Provisions, see 28 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 293 (2011).  
  The General Assembly finds that the state has a need to continually improve its system for providing effective, efficient, and quality mental health, developmental disability, and addictive disease services. Further, the General Assembly finds that a comprehensive range of quality services and opportunities is vitally important to the existence and well-being of individuals with mental health, developmental disability, or addictive disease needs and their families. The General Assembly further finds that the state has an obligation and a responsibility to develop and implement planning and service delivery systems which focus on a core set of consumer oriented, community based values and principles which include, but are not limited to, the following:   Consumers and families should have choices about services and providers and should have substantive input into the planning and delivery of all services;   A single point of accountability should exist for fiscal, service, and administrative issues to ensure better coordination of services among all programs and providers and to promote cost-effective, efficient service delivery and administration;   The system should be appropriately comprehensive and adaptive to allow consumers and their families to access the services they desire and need;   Public programs are the foundation of the service planning and delivery system and they should be valued and nurtured; at the same time, while assuring comparable standards of quality, private sector involvement should be increased to allow for expanded consumer choice and improved cost effectiveness;   Planning should begin at the local level and include local government, consumers, families, advocates, and other interested local parties;   The system should ensure that the needs of consumers who are most in need are met at the appropriate service levels; at the same time, prevention strategies should be emphasized for those disabilities which are known to be preventable;   The system should be designed to provide the highest quality of services utilizing flexibility in funding, incentives, and outcome evaluation techniques which reinforce quality, accountability, efficiency, and consumer satisfaction;   The functions of service planning, coordination, contracting, resource allocation, and consumer assessment should be separated from the actual treatment, habilitation, and prevention services provided by contractors;   Consumers and families should have a single, community based point of entry into the system;   Consumers, staff, providers, and regional planning board and community service board members should receive ongoing training and education and should have access to key management resources such as information systems and technical and professional support services; and   The department is responsible for ensuring the appropriate use of state, federal, and other funds to provide quality services for individuals with mental health, developmental disabilities, or addictive disease needs who are served by the public system and to protect consumers of these services from abuse and maltreatment.     Local governments, specifically county governing authorities, have provided outstanding leadership and support for mental health, developmental disability, and addictive disease programs, and the General Assembly finds that their investments, both personal and capital, should be valued and utilized in any improved system. As such, the state and any new governing structure should take special precautions to ensure that the county governing authorities have an expanded level of input into decision making and resource allocation and that any services or programs should continue to use and expand their use of county facilities and resources wherever appropriate and possible.   The purpose of this chapter and Chapter 2 of this title is to provide for a comprehensive and improved mental health, developmental disability, and addictive disease services planning and delivery system in this state which will develop and promote the essential public interests of the state and its citizens. The provisions of this chapter and Chapter 2 of this title shall be liberally construed to achieve their purposes.    History. Code 1981,  37-1-2 , enacted by Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  6; Ga. L. 1995, p. 10,  37; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-6; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which enacts this Code section, provides, in  19.1, not codified by the General Assembly, that this Code section is repealed on June 30, 1999; however, Ga. L. 1998, p. 870,  1, struck  19.1 of Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which would have repealed this Code section.  
  There is created the Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities which shall establish the general policy to be followed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. The powers, functions, and duties of the Board of Human Resources as they existed on June 30, 2009, with regard to the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Addictive Diseases are transferred to the Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities effective July 1, 2009. The board shall consist of nine members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.   The Governor shall designate the initial terms of the members of the board as follows: three members shall be appointed for one year; three members shall be appointed for two years; and three members shall be appointed for three years. Thereafter, all succeeding appointments shall be for three-year terms from the expiration of the previous term.   Vacancies in office shall be filled by appointment by the Governor in the same manner as the appointment to the position on the board which becomes vacant. An appointment to fill a vacancy other than by expiration of a term of office shall be for the balance of the unexpired term.   Members of the board may be removed from office under the same conditions for removal from office of members of professional licensing boards provided in Code Section 43-1-17.   There shall be a chairperson of the board elected by and from the membership of the board who shall be the presiding officer of the board.   The members of the board shall receive a per diem allowance and expenses as shall be set and approved by the Office of Planning and Budget in conformance with rates and allowances set for members of other state boards.    History. Code 1981,  37-1-3 , enacted by Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228.  
  There is created a Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. The powers, functions, and duties of the Department of Human Resources as they existed on June 30, 2009, relating to the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Addictive Diseases are transferred to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities effective July 1, 2009.   There is created the position of commissioner of behavioral health and developmental disabilities. The commissioner shall be the chief administrative officer of the department and be both appointed and removed by the board, subject to the approval of the Governor. Subject to the general policy established by the board, the commissioner shall supervise, direct, account for, organize, plan, administer, and execute the functions vested in the department.   There shall be created in the department such divisions as may be found necessary for its effective operation. The commissioner shall have the power to allocate and reallocate functions among the divisions within the department.    History. Code 1981,  37-1-4 , enacted by Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228.  
  The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities shall succeed to all rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and administrative orders of the Department of Human Resources that are in effect on June 30, 2009, or scheduled to go into effect on or after July 1, 2009, and which relate to the functions transferred to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities pursuant to Code Section 37-1-4 and shall further succeed to any rights, privileges, entitlements, obligations, and duties of the Department of Human Resources that are in effect on June 30, 2009, which relate to the functions transferred to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities pursuant to Code Section 37-1-4. Such rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and administrative orders shall remain in effect until amended, repealed, superseded, or nullified by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities by proper authority or as otherwise provided by law.   The rights, privileges, entitlements, and duties of parties to contracts, leases, agreements, and other transactions entered into before July 1, 2009, by the Department of Human Resources which relate to the functions transferred to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities pursuant to Code Section 37-1-4 shall continue to exist; and none of these rights, privileges, entitlements, and duties are impaired or diminished by reason of the transfer of the functions to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. In all such instances, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities shall be substituted for the Department of Human Resources, and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities shall succeed to the rights and duties under such contracts, leases, agreements, and other transactions.   All persons employed by the Department of Human Resources in capacities which relate to the functions transferred to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities pursuant to Code Section 37-1-4 on June 30, 2009, shall, on July 1, 2009, become employees of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities in similar capacities, as determined by the commissioner of behavioral health and developmental disabilities. Such employees shall be subject to the employment practices and policies of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities on and after July 1, 2009, but the compensation and benefits of such transferred employees shall not be reduced as a result of such transfer. Employees who are subject to the rules of the State Personnel Board and who are transferred to the department shall retain all existing rights under such rules. Retirement rights of such transferred employees existing under the Employees Retirement System of Georgia or other public retirement systems on June 30, 2009, shall not be impaired or interrupted by the transfer of such employees and membership in any such retirement system shall continue in the same status possessed by the transferred employees on June 30, 2009. Accrued annual and sick leave possessed by said employees on June 30, 2009, shall be retained by said employees as employees of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.   On July 1, 2009, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities shall receive custody of the state owned real property in the custody of the Department of Human Resources on June 30, 2009, and which pertains to the functions transferred to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities pursuant to Code Section 37-1-4.    History. Code 1981,  37-1-5 , enacted by Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228; Ga. L. 2012, p. 446,  2-56/HB 642.    Code Commission notes.    Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 2009, State Personnel Administration was substituted for State Merit System of Personnel Administration twice in the third sentence of subsection (c).    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 2012, p. 446,  3-1/HB 642, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: Personnel, equipment, and facilities that were assigned to the State Personnel Administration as of June 30, 2012, shall be transferred to the Department of Administrative Services on the effective date of this Act. This Act became effective July 1, 2012.   Ga. L. 2012, p. 446,  3-2/HB 642, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: Appropriations for functions which are transferred by this Act may be transferred as provided in Code Section 45-12-90.  
 When any action is brought against the department, the board, the commissioner, or any employee or agent thereof or when any action is brought in which the department could be held responsible for damages awarded in such action, it shall be the duty of the plaintiff to provide for service of notice of the pendency of such action by providing for service of a second original process, issued from the court in which the action is filed, upon the commissioner personally or upon a person designated by the commissioner in writing to serve as agent for the acceptance of such service of process. The service of process in such action shall not be perfected until such second original process has been served as provided in this Code section. The provisions of this Code section shall be cumulative of any other requirements imposed by law for the service of process or notice.   History. Code 1981,  37-1-6 , enacted by Ga. L. 2010, p. 286,  1/SB 244.  
 The state shall provide funding for a minimum of five new co-responder programs established pursuant to Title 37. Each such program shall have a minimum of one co-responder team.   History. Code 1981,  37-1-7 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 26,  4-7/HB 1013.    Effective date.    This Code section became effective July 1, 2022.  
 The department shall:    Establish, administer, and supervise the state programs for mental health, developmental disabilities, and addictive diseases;   Direct, supervise, and control the medical and physical care and treatment; recovery; and social, employment, housing, and community supports and services based on single or co-occurring diagnoses provided by the institutions, contractors, and programs under its control, management, or supervision;   Plan for and implement the coordination of mental health, developmental disability, and addictive disease services with physical health services, and the prevention of any of these diseases or conditions, and develop and promulgate rules and regulations to require that all health services be coordinated and that the public and private providers of any of these services that receive state support notify other providers of services to the same patients of the conditions, treatment, and medication regimens each provider is prescribing and delivering;   Ensure that providers of mental health, developmental disability, or addictive disease services coordinate with providers of primary and specialty health care so that treatment of conditions of the brain and the body can be integrated to promote recovery, health, and well-being;   Have authority to contract, including performance based contracts which may include financial incentives or consequences based on the results achieved by a contractor as measured by output, quality, or outcome measures, for services with community service boards, private agencies, and other public entities for the provision of services within a service area so as to provide an adequate array of services and choice of providers for consumers and to comply with the applicable federal laws and rules and regulations related to public or private hospitals; hospital authorities; medical schools and training and educational institutions; departments and agencies of this state; county or municipal governments; any person, partnership, corporation, or association, whether public or private; and the United States government or the government of any other state;   Establish and support programs for the training of professional and technical personnel as well as regional advisory councils and community service boards;   Have authority to conduct research into the causes and treatment of disability and into the means of effectively promoting mental health and addictive disease recovery;   Assign specific responsibility to one or more units of the department for the development of a disability prevention program. The objectives of such program shall include, but are not limited to, monitoring of completed and ongoing research related to the prevention of disability, implementation of programs known to be preventive, and testing, where practical, of those measures having a substantive potential for the prevention of disability;   Establish a system for local administration of mental health, developmental disability, and addictive disease services in institutions and in the community;   Make and administer budget allocations to fund the operation of mental health, developmental disabilities, and addictive diseases facilities and programs;   Coordinate in consultation with providers, professionals, and other experts the development of appropriate outcome measures for client centered service delivery systems;   Establish, operate, supervise, and staff programs and facilities for the treatment of disabilities throughout this state;   Disseminate information about available services and the facilities through which such services may be obtained;   Supervise the local offices exercise of its responsibility concerning funding and delivery of disability services;   Supervise the local offices concerning the administration of grants, gifts, moneys, and donations for purposes pertaining to mental health, developmental disabilities, and addictive diseases;   Supervise the administration of contracts with any hospital, community service board, or any public or private providers without regard to regional or state boundaries for the provision of disability services and in making and entering into all contracts necessary or incidental to the performance of the duties and functions of the department and the local offices;   Regulate the delivery of care, including behavioral interventions and medication administration by licensed staff, or certified staff as determined by the department, within residential settings serving only persons who are receiving services authorized or financed, in whole or in part, by the department;   Classify host homes for persons whose services are financially supported, in whole or in part, by funds authorized through the department. As used in this Code section, the term host home means a private residence in a residential area in which the occupant owner or lessee provides housing and provides or arranges for the provision of food, one or more personal services, supports, care, or treatment exclusively for one or two persons who are not related to the occupant owner or lessee by blood or marriage. A host home shall be occupied by the owner or lessee, who shall not be an employee of the same community provider that provides the host home services by contract with the department. The department shall approve and enter into agreements with community providers which, in turn, shall contract with host homes. The occupant owner or lessee shall not be the guardian of any person served, the conservator of the property of such person, the health care agent in such persons advance directive for health care, or the mental health care agent in such persons psychiatric advance directive. The placement determination for each person placed in a host home shall be made according to such persons choice as well as the individual needs of such person in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 37-3-162, 37-4-122, or 37-7-162, as applicable to such person;   Provide guidelines for and oversight of host homes, which may include, but not be limited to, criteria to become a host home, requirements relating to physical plants and supports, placement procedures, and ongoing oversight requirements;   Supervise the regular visitation of disability services facilities and programs in order to assure contracted providers are licensed and accredited by the designated agencies prescribed by the department, and in order to evaluate the effectiveness and appropriateness of the services, as such services relate to the health, safety, and welfare of service recipients, and to provide technical assistance to programs in delivering services;   Establish a unit of the department which shall receive and consider complaints from individuals receiving services, make recommendations to the commissioner regarding such complaints, and ensure that the rights of individuals receiving services are fully protected. No later than October 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, such unit shall provide to the Office of Health Strategy and Coordination annual reports regarding such complaints;   With respect to housing opportunities for persons with mental illness and co-occurring disorders:   Coordinate the departments programs and services with other state agencies and housing providers;   Facilitate partnerships with local communities;   Educate the public on the need for supportive housing;   Collect information on the need for supportive housing and monitor the benefit of such housing;   Identify and determine best practices for the provision of services connected to housing; and   No later than October 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, provide to the Office of Health Strategy and Coordination an annual status report regarding successful housing placements and unmet housing needs for the previous year and anticipated housing needs for the upcoming year;     Exercise all powers and duties provided for in this title or which may be deemed necessary to effectuate the purposes of this title;   Assign specific responsibility to one or more units of the department for the development of programs designed to serve disabled infants, children, and youth. To the extent permitted by law, such units shall cooperate with the Georgia Department of Education, the University System of Georgia, the Technical College System of Georgia, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Early Care and Learning, the Department of Public Health, and community service boards in developing such programs. No later than October 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, such department shall provide to the Office of Health Strategy and Coordination annual reports regarding such programs;   Have the right to designate private institutions as state institutions; to contract with such private institutions for such activities, in carrying out this title, as the department may deem necessary from time to time; and to exercise such supervision and cooperation in the operation of such designated private institutions as the department may deem necessary;   Establish policies and procedures governing fiscal standards and practices of community service boards and their respective governing boards and no later than October 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, provide to the Office of Health Strategy and Coordination annual reports regarding the performance and fiscal status of each community service board;   Coordinate the establishment and operation of a data base and network to serve as a comprehensive management information system for behavioral health, addictive diseases, and disability services and programs; and   Establish the Multi-Agency Treatment for Children (MATCH) team within the department. The state MATCH team shall be composed of representatives from the Division of Family and Children Services of the Department of Human Services; the Department of Juvenile Justice; the Department of Early Care and Learning; the Department of Public Health; the Department of Community Health; the department; the Department of Education; the Office of the Child Advocate, and the Department of Corrections. The chairperson of the Behavioral Health Coordinating Council or his or her designee shall serve as the chairperson of the state MATCH team. The state MATCH team shall facilitate collaboration across state agencies to explore resources and solutions for complex and unmet treatment needs for children in this state and to provide for solutions, including both public and private providers, as necessary. The state MATCH team will accept referrals from local interagency childrens committees throughout Georgia for children with complex treatment needs not met through the resources of their local community and custodians. The state agencies and entities represented on the state MATCH team shall coordinate with each other and take all reasonable steps necessary to provide for collaboration and coordination to facilitate the purpose of the state MATCH team.     History.  Code 1933,  88-601, 88-602, 88-603, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Code 1933,  88-603, enacted by Ga. L. 1976, p. 953,  1; Ga. L. 1982, p. 3,  37; Ga. L. 1987, p. 3,  37; Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  7; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-6; Ga. L. 2003, p. 558,  5, 6; Ga. L. 2008, p. 263,  2/SB 469; Ga. L. 2009, p. 8,  37/SB 46; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228; Ga. L. 2014, p. 309,  1/SB 349; Ga. L. 2015, p. 1361,  1/HB 512; Ga. L. 2022, p. 26,  5-1/HB 1013; Ga. L. 2022, p. 611,  2-21/HB 752.    The 2022 amendments.    The first 2022 amendment, effective July 1, 2022, added the second sentence in paragraph (21); deleted and from the end of subparagraph (22)(D), added and at the end of subparagraph (22)(E), added subparagraph (22)(F); rewrote paragraph (24); substituted boards and no later than October 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, provide to the Office of Health Strategy and Coordination annual reports regarding the performance and fiscal status of each community service board; for boards; and in paragraph (26); substituted for behavioral health, addictive diseases, and disability services and programs; and for for disability services and programs. in paragraph (27); and added paragraph (28). The second 2022 amendment, effective July 1, 2022, in paragraph (18), substituted that for which in the third sentence, substituted shall contract for contract in the fourth sentence, and rewrote the fifth sentence.    Code Commission notes.    The amendment of this Code section by Ga. L. 2009, p. 8,  37, irreconcilably conflicted with and was treated as superseded by Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1. See County of Butts v. Strahan, 151 Ga. 417 (1921).    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which amends this Code section, provides, in  19.1, not codified by the General Assembly, that the amendment is repealed on June 30, 1999; however, Ga. L. 1998, p. 870,  1, struck  19.1 of Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which would have repealed the 1993 amendment to this Code section.  
  The department is designated and empowered as the agency of this state responsible for supervision and administrative control of: state facilities for the treatment of mental illness or the habilitation and treatment of individuals with developmental disabilities; programs for the care, custody, and treatment of addictive disease; and other facilities, institutions, or programs which now or hereafter come under the supervision and administrative control of the department. With respect to all such facilities, institutions, or programs the department shall have the following powers and duties:   To create all necessary offices, appoint and remove all officers of such facilities, institutions, or programs, prescribe and change the duties of such officers from time to time, and fix their salaries, other than the commissioners salary, as provided for by the pay plan covering positions in accordance with rules and regulations of the State Personnel Board. The department shall discharge and cause to be prosecuted any officer or other person who shall assault any patient in any of such facilities or institutions or who shall knowingly use toward any such patient any other or greater force than the occasion may require;   To refuse or accept and hold in trust for any such facility, institution, or program any grant or devise of land or bequest or donation of money or other property for the particular use specified or, if no use is specified, for the general use of such facility, institution, or program;   To bring suit in its name for any claims which any such facility or institution may have, however arising;   To appoint police of such facilities, institutions, or programs who are authorized, while on the grounds or in the buildings of the respective facilities, institutions, or programs to make arrests with the same authority, power, privilege, and duties as the sheriffs of the respective counties in which such facilities, institutions, or programs are situated; and   To have full authority to receive and treat patients ordered admitted to such facilities, institutions, or programs pursuant to any law, to receive any voluntary patients, to discharge such patients pursuant to law, to contract with patients or other persons acting on behalf of patients or legally responsible therefor, and in general to exercise any power or function with respect to patients provided by law. It is the intent of the General Assembly to provide always the highest quality of diagnosis, treatment, custody, and care consistent with medical, therapeutic, and habilitative evidence based practice and knowledge. It is the further intent of the General Assembly that the powers and duties of the department with respect to patients shall be administered by persons properly trained professionally for the exercise of their duties, consistent with the intention expressed in this Code section.     The board is empowered to prescribe all rules and regulations for the management of such facilities, institutions, and programs not conflicting with the law.     History.  Code 1933,  88-115, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-6; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228; Ga. L. 2009, p. 745,  2/SB 97; Ga. L. 2010, p. 286,  2/SB 244; Ga. L. 2012, p. 446,  2-57/HB 642.    Cross references.    Tuberculosis hospitals, T. 31, C. 14.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 2012, p. 446,  3-1/HB 642, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: Personnel, equipment, and facilities that were assigned to the State Personnel Administration as of June 30, 2012, shall be transferred to the Department of Administrative Services on the effective date of this Act. This Act became effective July 1, 2012.   Ga. L. 2012, p. 446,  3-2/HB 642, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: Appropriations for functions which are transferred by this Act may be transferred as provided in Code Section 45-12-90.  
 The board is directed to prescribe rules of practice and procedure in order to implement this chapter. The department is directed to make the boards and the departments rules available for distribution.    History.  Code 1933,  88-308, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  9; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-6; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228.    Cross references.    County boards of health generally, T. 31, C. 3.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which amends this Code section, provides, in  19.1, not codified by the General Assembly, that the amendment is repealed on June 30, 1999; however, Ga. L. 1998, p. 870,  1, struck  19.1 of Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which would have repealed the 1993 amendment to this Code section.  
 No provision in this title shall require the department or any facility or private facility or any community service board to utilize a physician in lieu of a psychologist or a psychologist in lieu of a physician in performing functions under this title even though this title authorizes either a physician or a psychologist to perform the function.   History. Code 1981,  37-1-24 , enacted by Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  7; Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  10; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-6; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which amends this Code section, provides, in  19.1, not codified by the General Assembly, that the amendment is repealed on June 30, 1999; however, Ga. L. 1998, p. 870,  1, struck  19.1 of Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which would have repealed the 1993 amendment to this Code section.    Law reviews.    For note on 1991 enactment of this Code section, see 8 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 121 (1992).  
 The department is authorized to purchase land or lands adjacent to or near lands now under the control of the department where, in the opinion of the department, the land is needed for the benefit of one of the institutions under its control and management, to pay for such land out of any funds which may be available for such purpose, and to take title to land so purchased in the name of the State of Georgia for the use of the department.   History. Code 1981,  37-1-25 , enacted by Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228.  
  The department shall sell, to the best advantage, all surplus products of the Central State Hospital or other institutions under the control and supervision of the department and shall apply the proceeds thereof to the maintenance of the institution from which such surplus products are received. Should any surplus funds arise from this source, they shall be paid into the state treasury annually; and the department shall, at the end of each quarter, make a detailed report of all such transactions to the Governor.   It is not the intention of this Code section to encourage competition in any way by the state, its institutions, agencies, departments or branches, or other subdivisions with the individual, private farmers of this state, or others, in the production and sale of agricultural or industrial commodities or products in due course of commerce.    History. Code 1981,  37-1-26 , enacted by Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228.  
  The General Assembly makes the following findings:   Every year in Georgia, approximately 850 people die from suicide;   More Georgians die from suicide than from homicide;   More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza, and chronic lung disease combined;   Many who attempt suicide do not seek professional help after the attempt;   In Georgia, three out of four suicide deaths involve a firearm;   Factors such as aging, drug and alcohol abuse, unemployment, mental illness, isolation, and bullying in school contribute to causes of suicide; and   Education is necessary to inform the public about the causes of suicide and the early intervention programs that are available.     There is created the Suicide Prevention Program to be managed by the department.   The department, in implementing the Suicide Prevention Program, shall:   Establish a link between state agencies and offices, including but not limited to the Division of Aging Services and Division of Family and Children Services of the Department of Human Services, the Department of Public Health, local government agencies, health care providers, hospitals, nursing homes, and jails to collect data on suicide deaths and attempted suicides;   Work with public officials to improve firearm safety;   Improve education for nurses, judges, physician assistants, social workers, psychologists, and other counselors with regard to suicide education and prevention and expand educational resources for professionals working with those persons most at risk of suicide;   Provide training and minimal screening tools for clergy, teachers and other educational staff, and correctional workers on how to identify and respond to persons at risk of suicide;   Provide educational programs for family members of persons at an elevated risk of suicide;   Develop standardized protocols to be used by the department in reviewing suicide death scene investigations;   Work to increase the number of follow-back studies of suicides;   Work to increase the number of hospitals that code for external causes of injury;   Implement a state-wide reporting system for reporting suicides;   Support pilot projects to link and analyze information on self-destructive behavior from various, distinct data systems; and   Perform such other tasks as deemed appropriate to further suicide education and prevention in Georgia.     The Suicide Prevention Program shall coordinate with and receive technical assistance from epidemiologists and other staff of the Department of Public Health to support the research and outreach efforts related to this program.    History. Code 1981,  37-1-27 , enacted by Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228; Ga. L. 2011, p. 705,  5-20/HB 214.    Cross references.    Training of public school personnel in suicide prevention and awareness; no duty of care imposed,  20-2-779.1 .    Law reviews.    For article on the 2011 amendment of this Code section, see 28 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 147 (2011).  
  As used in this Code section, the term conviction data means a record of a finding or verdict of guilty or a plea of guilty or a plea of nolo contendere with regard to any crime, regardless of whether an appeal of the conviction has been sought.   The department may receive from any law enforcement agency conviction data that is relevant to a person whom the department or its contractors is considering as a final selectee for employment in a position the duties of which involve direct care, treatment, custodial responsibilities, or any combination thereof for its clients. The department may also receive conviction data which is relevant to a person whom the department or its contractors is considering as a final selectee for employment in a position if, in the judgment of the employer, a final employment decision regarding the selectee can only be made by a review of conviction data in relation to the particular duties of the position and the security and safety of clients, the general public, or other employees.   The department shall establish a uniform method of obtaining conviction data under subsection (a) of this Code section which shall be applicable to the department and its contractors. Such uniform method shall require the submission to the Georgia Crime Information Center of fingerprints and the records search fee in accordance with Code Section 35-3-35. Upon receipt thereof, the Georgia Crime Information Center shall promptly transmit 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 own records and records to which it has access. After receiving the fingerprints and fee, the Georgia Crime Information Center shall notify the department in writing of any derogatory finding, including, but not limited to, any conviction data regarding the fingerprint records check or if there is no such finding.   All conviction data received shall be for the exclusive purpose of making employment decisions or decisions concerning individuals in the care of the department and shall be privileged and shall not be released or otherwise disclosed to any other person or agency. Immediately following the employment decisions or upon receipt of the conviction data, all such conviction data collected by the department or its agent shall be maintained by the department or agent pursuant to laws regarding and the rules or regulations of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Georgia Crime Information Center, as is applicable. Penalties for the unauthorized release or disclosure of any conviction data shall be as prescribed pursuant to laws regarding and rules or regulations of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Georgia Crime Information Center, as is applicable.   The department may promulgate written rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Code section.   The department shall be authorized to conduct a name or descriptor based check of any persons criminal history information, including arrest and conviction data, and other information from the Georgia Crime Information Center regarding any adult person who provides care or is in contact with persons under the care of the department without the consent of such person and without fingerprint comparison to the fullest extent permissible by federal and state law.   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.    History. Code 1981,  37-1-28 , enacted by Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228; Ga. L. 2010, p. 286,  3/SB 244; Ga. L. 2018, p. 507,  2-11/SB 336.    Law reviews.    For article on the 2018 amendment of this Code section, see 35 Ga. St. U. L. Rev. 119 (2018).  
  As used in this Code section, the term crisis stabilization unit means a short-term residential program operated for the purpose of providing psychiatric stabilization and detoxification services that complies with applicable department standards and that provides brief, intensive crisis services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.   The department shall be authorized to certify crisis stabilization units pursuant to this Code section for the purpose of providing psychiatric stabilization and detoxification services in a community based setting rather than inpatient hospitalization and other higher levels of care.   The department shall establish minimum standards and requirements for the certification of crisis stabilization units in its policies and procedures. Following any changes to such policies and procedures pertaining to crisis stabilization units, notification of such changes shall be posted on the departments website within 45 days and shall remain posted on the website for at least six months. Such policies and procedures shall include, but not be limited to, the following:   The capacity to carry out emergency receiving and evaluating functions;   Voluntary and involuntary admission criteria;   The prohibition to hold itself out as a hospital or bill for hospital or inpatient services;   The unit is operated by an accredited and licensed, if applicable, health care authority;   The unit has operating agreements with private and public inpatient hospitals and treatment facilities;   The unit operates within the guidelines of the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act with respect to stabilization and transfer of clients;   Length of stay;   Designation of transitional beds;   Billing;   Physician and registered professional nurse oversight;   Staff to client ratios;   Patient restraint or seclusion;   Safety and emergency protocols;   Pharmacy services;   Medication administration; and   Reporting requirements.     A crisis stabilization unit shall be designated as an emergency receiving facility under Code Sections 37-3-40 and 37-7-40 and an evaluation facility under Code Sections 37-3-60 and 37-7-60, but shall not be designated as a treatment facility under Code Section 37-3-80 or 37-7-80. Crisis stabilization units may admit individuals on a voluntary basis. Individuals may be provided 24 hour observation, detoxification and stabilization services, medication prescribed by a physician, and other appropriate treatment or services.   No entity shall operate as a crisis stabilization unit without having a valid certificate issued pursuant to this Code section.   Application for a certificate to operate a crisis stabilization unit shall be submitted to the department in the manner prescribed by the departments policies and procedures.   The department shall issue a certificate to an applicant who meets all the standards and requirements as set forth in the departments policies and procedures for the certification of crisis stabilization units. The certificate shall be nontransferable for a change of location or governing body.   Each certified crisis stabilization unit shall permit authorized department representatives to enter upon and inspect any and all premises for which a certificate has been granted or applied for.   The department may deny any application for certification which does not meet all the standards and requirements set forth in the departments policies and procedures for the certification of crisis stabilization units and may suspend or revoke a certification which has been issued if an applicant or a certified crisis stabilization unit violates any such policies and procedures; provided, however, that before any order is entered denying a certification application or suspending or revoking a certification previously granted, the applicant or certificate holder, as the case may be, shall be afforded an opportunity for a hearing as provided for in Chapter 13 of Title 50, the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act.   Any program certified as a crisis stabilization unit pursuant to this Code section shall be exempt from the requirements to obtain a certificate of need pursuant to Article 3 of Chapter 6 of Title 31.   It is the intent of the General Assembly that this Code section provide a public benefit and comply with all safety net obligations in this title and that patients without private health care coverage receive priority consideration for crisis stabilization unit placement.    History. Code 1981,  37-1-29 , enacted by Ga. L. 2011, p. 346,  1/HB 343; Ga. L. 2015, p. 1062,  1/SB 131.  
 The board shall adopt and promulgate written rules, regulations, and standards as may be deemed necessary to effectuate the purposes of this title and which shall be the basis of state financial participation in mental health, developmental disabilities, and addictive diseases programs.   History. Code 1933,  88-601, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Code 1933,  88-603, enacted by Ga. L. 1976, p. 953,  1; Code 1981,  37-1-41 ; Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  8; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-6; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228; Code 1981,  37-1-40 , as redesignated by Ga. L. 2011, p. 752,  37/HB 142.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which amends this Code section, provides, in  19.1, not codified by the General Assembly, that the amendment is repealed on June 30, 1999; however, Ga. L. 1998, p. 870,  1, struck  19.1 of Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which would have repealed the 1993 amendment to this Code section.   Ga. L. 2011, p. 752,  37/HB 142, effective May 13, 2011, redesignated former Code Section 37-1-40 as Code Section 37-1-41.  
 All rules and regulations of the Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities shall be adopted pursuant to Chapter 13 of Title 50, the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act.   History. Code 1933,  88-307, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Code 1981,  37-1-40 ; Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  11; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228; Code 1981,  37-1-41 , as redesignated by Ga. L. 2011, p. 752,  37/HB 142.    Cross references.    County boards of health generally, T. 31, C. 3.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1994, p. 437,  12, effective July 1, 1994, not codified by the General Assembly, amends Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19.1 to exempt the 1993 amendment of this Code section from repeal on June 30, 1999.  
 Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the department is authorized by regulation to classify as confidential and privileged documents, reports, and other information and data obtained by them from persons, firms, corporations, municipalities, counties, and other public authorities and political subdivisions where such matters relate to secret processes, formulas, and methods or where such matters were obtained or furnished on a confidential basis. All matters so classified shall not be subject to public inspection or discovery and shall not be subject to production or disclosure in any court of law or elsewhere until and unless the judge of the court of competent jurisdiction, after in camera inspection, determines that the public interest requires such production and disclosure or that such production and disclosure may be necessary in the interest of justice. This Code section shall not apply to clinical records maintained pursuant to Code Sections 37-3-166, 37-3-167, 37-4-125, 37-4-126, 37-7-166, and 37-7-167.    History.  Code 1933,  88-306, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  12; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228; Ga. L. 2022, p. 352,  37/HB 1428.    The 2022 amendment,  effective May 2, 2022, part of an Act to revise, modernize, and correct the Code, substituted This Code section for This subsection at the beginning of the last sentence.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1994, p. 437,  12, effective July 1, 1994, not codified by the General Assembly, amends Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19.1 to except the 1993 amendment of this Code section from repeal on June 30, 1999.    Administrative rules and regulations.    Hearings and hearing records: confidentiality, custody, language, access, costs, Official Compilation of the Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia, Department of Human Resources, Administration, Hearings and Petitions for Rule-Making, Sec. 290-1-1-.18.  
 As used in this part, the term:    Inspection warrant means a warrant authorizing a search or inspection of private property where such a search or inspection is one that is necessary for the enforcement of a mental health law.   Mental health law means Code Sections 37-3-7, 37-3-8, and 37-4-7, Chapter 6 of this title, and any rule or regulation duly promulgated thereunder.     History.  Code 1933,  88-301a, enacted by Ga. L. 1975, p. 693,  1; Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  13; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228; Ga. L. 2010, p. 286,  5/SB 244.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1994, p. 437,  12, effective July 1, 1994, not codified by the General Assembly, amends Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19.1 to except the 1993 amendment of this Code section from repeal on June 30, 1999.  
 The commissioner or the commissioners delegate, in addition to other procedures now or hereafter provided, may obtain an inspection warrant under the conditions specified in this chapter. Such warrant shall authorize the commissioner or the commissioners delegate to conduct a search or inspection of property either with or without the consent of the person whose property is to be searched or inspected if such search or inspection is one that is elsewhere authorized under the rules and regulations duly promulgated under this title.    History.  Code 1933,  88-302a, enacted by Ga. L. 1975, p. 693,  1; Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  14; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1994, p. 437,  12, effective July 1, 1994, not codified by the General Assembly, amends Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19.1 to except the 1993 amendment of this Code section from repeal on June 30, 1999.  
  Inspection warrants shall be issued only by a judge of a court of record whose territorial jurisdiction encompasses the property to be inspected.   The issuing judge shall issue the warrant when the judge is satisfied that the following conditions are met:   The one seeking the warrant must establish under oath or affirmation that the property to be inspected is to be inspected as a part of a legally authorized program of inspection which includes that property or that there is probable cause for believing that there is a condition, object, activity, or circumstance which legally justifies such an inspection of that property; and   The issuing judge determines that the issuance of the warrant is authorized by this part.       History.  Code 1933,  88-303a, 88-304a, enacted by Ga. L. 1975, p. 693,  1; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228.  
 The inspection warrant shall be validly issued only if it meets the following requirements:    The warrant is attached to the affidavit required to be made in order to obtain the warrant;   The warrant describes either directly or by reference to the affidavit the property upon which the inspection is to occur and is sufficiently accurate that the executor of the warrant and the owner or possessor of the property can reasonably determine from it the property of which the warrant authorizes an inspection;   The warrant indicates the conditions, objects, activities, or circumstances which the inspection is intended to check or reveal; and   The warrant refers in general terms to the statutory or regulatory provisions sought to be enforced.     History.  Code 1933,  88-305a, enacted by Ga. L. 1975, p. 693,  1; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228.  
 No facts discovered or evidence obtained in an inspection conducted under authority of an inspection warrant issued pursuant to this part shall be competent as evidence in any criminal proceeding against any party.    History.  Code 1933,  88-306a, enacted by Ga. L. 1975, p. 693,  1; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228.  
 The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities is empowered to institute appropriate proceedings for injunction in the courts of competent jurisdiction in this state for the purpose of enjoining a violation of any provision of this title as now existing or as may be hereafter amended or of any regulation or order duly issued by the board or department. The department is also empowered to maintain action for injunction to abate any public nuisance which is injurious to the public health, safety, or comfort. Such actions may be maintained notwithstanding the fact that such violation also constitutes a crime and notwithstanding that other adequate remedies at law exist. Such actions may be instituted in the name of the department in the county in which a violation of any provision of this title occurs.    History.  Code 1933,  88-302, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  15; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1994, p. 437,  12, effective July 1, 1994, not codified by the General Assembly, amends Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19.1 to except the 1993 amendment of this Code section from repeal on June 30, 1999.  
 Any person violating the provisions of this title shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.    History.  Code 1933,  88-301, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228.  
 As used in this article, the term:    Addictive disease has the same meaning as in Code Section 37-1-1.   Assisted outpatient treatment means involuntary outpatient care, pursuant to Article 3 of Chapter 3 of this title, provided in the context of a formalized, systematic effort led by a community service board or private provider in collaboration with other community partners, endeavoring to:   Identify residents of the community service boards or private providers service area who qualify as outpatients pursuant to Code Section 37-3-1;   Establish procedures such that upon the identification of an individual believed to be an outpatient, a petition seeking involuntary outpatient care for the individual is filed in the probate court of the appropriate county;   Provide evidence based treatment, rehabilitation, and case management services under an individualized service plan to each patient receiving involuntary outpatient care, focused on helping the patient maintain stability and safety in the community;   Safeguard, at all stages of proceedings, the due process rights of respondents alleged to require involuntary outpatient care and patients who have been ordered to undergo involuntary outpatient care;   Establish routine communications between the probate court and providers of treatment and case management such that for each patient receiving involuntary outpatient care, the court receives the clinical information it needs to exercise its authority appropriately and providers can leverage all available resources in motivating the patient to engage with treatment;   Continually evaluate the appropriateness of each patients individualized service plan throughout the period of involuntary outpatient care, and adjust the plan as warranted;   Employ specific protocols to respond appropriately and lawfully in the event of a failure of or noncompliance with involuntary outpatient care;   Partner with law enforcement agencies to provide an alternative to arrest, incarceration, and prosecution for individuals suspected or accused of criminal conduct who appear to qualify as outpatients pursuant to Code Section 37-3-1;   Clinically evaluate each patient receiving involuntary outpatient care at the end of the treatment period to determine whether it is appropriate to seek an additional period of involuntary outpatient care or assist the patient in transitioning to voluntary care; and   Ensure that upon transitioning to voluntary outpatient care at an appropriate juncture, each patient remains connected to the treatment services he or she continues to need to maintain stability and safety in the community.     Mental health or substance use disorder means a mental illness or addictive disease.   Mental illness has the same meaning as in Code Section 37-1-1.    History. Code 1981,  37-1-120 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 26,  3-1/HB 1013.  
 The department shall establish and operate a grant program for the purpose of fostering the implementation and practice of assisted outpatient treatment in this state. The grant program shall aim to provide three years of funding, technical support, and oversight to five grantees, each comprising a collaboration between a community service board or private provider, a probate court or courts with jurisdiction in the corresponding service area, and a sheriffs office or offices with jurisdiction in the corresponding service area, which have demonstrated the ability with grant assistance to practice assisted outpatient treatment. Subject to appropriations, the funding, technical support, and oversight pursuant to the grant program shall commence no later than January 1, 2023, and shall terminate on December 31, 2025, or subject to the departments annual review of each grantee, whichever event shall first occur.   History. Code 1981,  37-1-121 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 26,  3-1/HB 1013.  
  No later than October 1, 2022, the department shall issue a funding opportunity announcement inviting any community service board or private provider, in partnership with a court or courts holding jurisdiction over probate matters in the corresponding service area, to submit a written application for funding pursuant to the assisted outpatient treatment grant program.   The department shall develop and disclose in the funding opportunity announcement:   A numerical scoring rubric to evaluate applications, which shall include a minimum score an application must receive to be potentially eligible for funding;   A formula for determining the amount of funding for which a grantee shall be eligible, based on the size of the population to be served, consideration of existing resources, or both;   A minimum percentage of a grant award that must be directed, and a maximum percentage of a grant award that may be directed, for purposes of enhancing the community based mental health services and supports provided to recipients of assisted outpatient treatment; and   A minimum percentage of the total program budget that must be independently sourced by the applicant.     The funding opportunity announcement shall require each application to include, in addition to any other information the department may choose to require:   A detailed three-year program budget, including identification of the source or sources of the applicants independent budget contribution;   A plan to identify and serve a population composed of persons meeting the following criteria, including the number of patients anticipated to participate in the program over the course of each year of grant support:   The person is 18 years of age or older;   The person is suffering from a mental health or substance use disorder which has been clinically documented by a health care provider licensed to practice in Georgia;   There has been a clinical determination by a physician or psychologist that the person is unlikely to survive safely in the community without supervision;   The person has a history of lack of compliance with treatment for his or her mental health or substance use disorder, in that at least one of the following is true:   The persons mental health or substance use disorder has, at least twice within the previous 36 months, been a substantial factor in necessitating hospitalization or the receipt of services in a forensic or other mental health unit of a correctional facility, not including any period during which such person was hospitalized or incarcerated immediately preceding the filing of the petition; or   The persons mental health or substance use disorder has resulted in one or more acts of serious and violent behavior toward himself or herself or others or threatens or attempts to cause serious physical injury to himself or herself or others within the preceding 48 months, not including any period in which such person was hospitalized or incarcerated immediately preceding the filing of the petition;   It is likely that the person may benefit from assisted outpatient treatment.       The person has been offered an opportunity to participate in a treatment plan by the department, a state mental health facility, a community service board, or a private provider under contract with the department and such person continues to fail to engage in treatment;   The persons condition is substantially deteriorating;   Participation in the assisted outpatient treatment program would be the least restrictive placement necessary to ensure such persons recovery and stability;   In view of the persons treatment history and current behavior, such person is in need of assisted outpatient treatment in order to prevent a relapse or deterioration that would likely result in grave disability or serious harm to himself or herself or others; and     For each element of assisted outpatient treatment, a statement of how the applicant proposes to incorporate such element into its own practice of assisted outpatient treatment;   A commitment by the applicant that it shall honor the provisions of any legally enforceable psychiatric advance directive of any person receiving involuntary outpatient treatment;   A description of the evidence based treatment services and case management model or models that the applicant proposes to utilize;   A description of any dedicated staff positions the applicant proposes to establish;   A letter of support from the sheriff of any county where the applicant proposes to provide assisted outpatient treatment;   A flowchart representing the proposed assisted outpatient treatment process, from initial case referral to transition to voluntary care; and   A description of the applicants plans to establish a stakeholder workgroup, consisting of representatives of each of the agencies, entities, and communities deemed essential to the functioning of the assisted outpatient treatment program, for purposes of internal oversight and program improvement.     The department shall not provide direct assistance or direct guidance to any potential applicant in developing the content of an application. Any questions directed to the department from potential applicants concerning the grant application process or interpretation of the funding opportunity announcement may only be entertained at a live webinar announced in advance in the funding opportunity announcement and open to all potential applicants, or may be submitted in writing and answered on a webpage disclosed in the funding opportunity announcement and freely accessible to any potential applicant.   No later than December 31, 2022, the department shall publicly announce awards for funding support, subject to annual review, to the five applicants whose applications received the highest scores under the scoring rubric, provided that:   The department shall seek to ensure, to the extent practical and consistent with other objectives, that at least three of the regions designated pursuant to Code Section 37-2-3 are represented among the five grantees. In pursuit of this goal, the department may in its discretion award a grant to a lower-scoring applicant over a higher-scoring applicant or may resolve a tie score in favor of an applicant that would increase regional diversity among the grantees; and   In no case shall a grant be awarded to an applicant whose application has failed to attain the minimum required score as stated in the funding opportunity announcement. This requirement shall take precedence in the event that it comes into conflict with the requirement that a total of five grants be awarded.      History. Code 1981,  37-1-122 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 26,  3-1/HB 1013.  
 Throughout the term of the assisted outpatient treatment grant program, the department shall contract on an annual basis with an organization, entity, or consultant possessing expertise in the practice of assisted outpatient treatment to serve as a technical assistance provider to the grantees. Prior to the conclusion of each of the first two years of the assisted outpatient treatment grant program, the department, in consultation with the grantees, shall review the performance of the technical assistance provider and determine whether it is appropriate to seek to contract with the same technical assistance provider for the following year.   History. Code 1981,  37-1-123 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 26,  3-1/HB 1013.  
  Prior to the commencement of funding under the assisted outpatient grant program, the department shall contract with an independent organization, entity, or consultant possessing expertise in the evaluation of community based mental health programs and policy to evaluate:   The effectiveness of the assisted outpatient grant program in reducing hospitalization and criminal justice interactions among vulnerable individuals with mental health or substance use disorders;   The cost-effectiveness of the assisted outpatient grant program, including its impact on spending within the public mental health system on the treatment of individuals receiving assisted outpatient treatment and spending within the criminal justice system on the arrest, incarceration, and prosecution of such individuals;   Differences in implementation of the assisted outpatient treatment model among the grantees and the impact of such differences on program outcomes;   The impact of the assisted outpatient grant program on the mental health system at large, including any unintended impacts; and   The perceptions of assisted outpatient treatment and its effectiveness among participating individuals, family members of participating individuals, mental health providers and program staff, and participating probate court judges.     As a condition for participation in the grant program, the department shall require each grantee to agree to share such program information and data with the contracted research organization, entity, or consultant as the department may require, and to make reasonable accommodations for such organization, entity, or consultant to have access to the grant site and individuals. The department shall further ensure that the contracted research organization, entity, or consultant is able to perform its functions consistent with all state and federal restrictions on the privacy of personal health information.   In contracting with the research organization, entity, or consultant, the department shall require such organization, entity, or consultant to submit a final report on the effectiveness of the assisted outpatient grant program to the Governor, the chairpersons of the House Committee on Health and Human Services and the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, and the Office of Health Strategy and Coordination no later than December 31, 2025. The department may also require the organization, entity, or consultant to report interim or provisional findings to the department at earlier dates.    History. Code 1981,  37-1-124 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 26,  3-1/HB 1013.  
 The department shall adopt and prescribe such rules and regulations as it deems necessary or appropriate to administer and carry out the grant program provided for in this article.   History. Code 1981,  37-1-125 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 26,  3-1/HB 1013.  
 This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Interstate Compact on Mental Health Act.    History.  Ga. L. 1973, p. 796,  1.    Law reviews.    For note, The Parity Cure: Solving Unequal Treatment of Mental Illness Health Insurance Through Federal Legislation, see 44 Ga. L. Rev. 511 (2010).  
 The Interstate Compact on Mental Health is enacted into law and entered into by the State of Georgia with any and all states legally joining therein in the form substantially as follows:    INTERSTATE COMPACT ON MENTAL HEALTH  The Contracting States solemnly agree that: Article I.   The party States find that the proper and expeditious treatment of the mentally ill and mentally deficient can be facilitated by cooperative action, to the benefit of the patients, their families, and society as a whole. Further, the party States find that the necessity of and desirability for furnishing such care and treatment bears no primary relation to the residence or citizenship of the patient but that, on the contrary, the controlling factors of community safety and humanitarianism require that facilities and services be made available for all who are in need of them. Consequently, it is the purpose of this compact and of the party States to provide the necessary legal basis for the institutionalized or other appropriate care and treatment of the mentally ill and mentally deficient under a system that recognizes the paramount importance of patient welfare and to establish the responsibilities of the party States in terms of such welfare.  
 The provisions of Code Sections 37-1-23, 37-1-41, 37-1-50 through 37-1-53, 37-1-90, and 37-1-100 shall not apply to this chapter.   History. Code 1981,  37-10-3 ; Ga. L. 2011, p. 752,  37/HB 142.    Editors notes.    This Code section was created as part of the Code revision and was thus enacted by Ga. L. 1981, Ex. Sess., p. 8 (Code enactment Act).  
 This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Psychiatric Advance Directive Act.   History. Code 1981,  37-11-1 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 611,  1-1/HB 752.  
  A directive may be revoked in whole or in part at any time by the declarant, so long as such declarant is capable, by any of the following methods:   By completing a new directive that has provisions which are inconsistent with the provisions of a previously executed directive; an advance directive for health care executed pursuant to Chapter 32 of Title 31; a durable power of attorney for health care creating a health care agency under the former Chapter 36 of Title 31, as such chapter existed on and before June 30, 2007; a health care proxy; or a living will; provided, however, that such revocation shall extend only so far as the inconsistency exists between the documents and any part of a prior document that is not inconsistent with a subsequent document shall remain unrevoked;   By being obliterated, burned, torn, or otherwise destroyed by the declarant or by some person in the declarants presence and at the declarants direction indicating an intention to revoke;   By a written revocation clearly expressing the intent of the declarant to revoke the directive signed and dated by the declarant or by a person acting at the declarants direction. If the declarant is receiving mental health care in a facility, revocation of a directive will become effective only upon communication to the attending provider by the declarant or by a person acting at the declarants direction. The attending provider shall record in the declarants medical record the time and date when the attending provider received notification of the written revocation; or   By an oral or any other clear expression of the intent to revoke the directive in the presence of a witness 18 years of age or older who, within 30 days of the expression of such intent, signs and dates a writing confirming that such expression of intent was made. If the declarant is receiving mental health care in a facility, revocation of a directive will become effective only upon communication to the attending provider by the declarant or by a person acting at the declarants direction. The attending provider shall record in the declarants medical record the time, date, and place of the revocation and the time, date, and place, if different, when the attending provider received notification of the revocation. Any person, other than the mental health care agent, to whom an oral or other nonwritten revocation of a directive is communicated or delivered shall make all reasonable efforts to inform the mental health care agent of that fact as promptly as possible.     Unless a directive expressly provides otherwise, if after executing a directive, the declarant marries, such marriage shall revoke the designation of a person other than the declarants spouse as the declarants mental health care agent, and if, after executing a directive, the declarants marriage is dissolved or annulled, such dissolution or annulment shall revoke the designation of the declarants former spouse as the declarants mental health care agent.   A directive which survives disability, incapacity, or incompetency shall not be revoked solely by the appointment of a guardian or receiver for the declarant. Absent an order of the probate court or superior court having jurisdiction directing a guardian of the person to exercise the powers of the declarant under a directive which survives disability, incapacity, or incompetency, the guardian of the person has no power, duty, or liability with respect to any mental health care matters covered by the directive; provided, however, that no order usurping the authority of a mental health care agent known to the proposed guardian shall be entered unless notice is sent by first-class mail to the mental health care agents last known address and it is shown by clear and convincing evidence that the mental health care agent is acting in a manner inconsistent with the directive.    History. Code 1981,  37-11-10 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 611,  1-1/HB 752.  
  Upon being presented with a psychiatric advance directive, a provider or facility shall make the directive a part of a declarants medical record.   In the absence of specific knowledge of the revocation or invalidity of a directive, a provider or facility providing mental health care to a declarant may presume that a person who executed a psychiatric advance directive in accordance with this chapter was of sound mind and acted voluntarily when executing such directive and may rely upon a psychiatric advance directive or a copy of that directive.   A provider or facility shall be authorized to act in accordance with a directive when a declarant is incapable of making mental health care decisions.   A provider or facility shall continue to obtain a declarants consent to all mental health care decisions if he or she is capable of providing consent or refusal.    History. Code 1981,  37-11-11 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 611,  1-1/HB 752.  
    When acting under the authority of a directive, a provider or facility shall comply with it to the fullest extent possible unless the requested mental health care is:   Unavailable;   Medically contraindicated in a manner that would result in substantial harm to the declarant if administered; or   In the opinion of the provider or facility, inconsistent with reasonable medical standards to benefit the declarant or has proven ineffective in treating such declarants mental health condition.     In the event that a part of a directive is unable to be followed due to any of the circumstances set forth in paragraph (1) of this subsection, all other parts of such directive shall be followed.     If a provider or facility is unwilling at any time for one or more of the reasons set forth in paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of this Code section to comply with a declarants wishes as set forth in the directive or with the decision of such declarants agent, such provider or facility shall:   Document the reason for not following the directive in such declarants medical record; and   Promptly notify such declarant and his or her agent, if one is appointed in the directive, or otherwise such declarants legal guardian, of the refusal to follow the directive or instructions of the agent and document the notification in such declarants medical record.     In the event a provider or facility is unwilling at any time for one or more of the reasons set forth in paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of this Code section to comply with a declarants wishes as set forth in the directive or with the decision of such declarants agent, if an agent has been appointed, then the declarants agent, or otherwise such declarants legal guardian, shall arrange for such declarants transfer to another provider or facility if the requested care would be delivered by that other provider or facility.   A provider or facility unwilling at any time for one or more of the reasons set forth in paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of this Code section to comply with a declarants wishes as set forth in the directive or with the decision of a declarants mental health care agent shall continue to provide reasonably necessary consultation and care in connection with the pending transfer.   A psychiatric advance directive shall not limit the involuntary examination, treatment, or hospitalization of patients pursuant to Chapter 3 or Chapter 7 of this title or evaluations or treatment services rendered pursuant to a court order under Code Section 17-7-130, 17-7-130.1, or 17-7-131.   Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require a provider or facility to provide mental health care for which a declarant or a third-party payor is unable or refuses to ensure payment.    History. Code 1981,  37-11-12 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 611,  1-1/HB 752.  
  Each provider, facility, or any other person who acts in good faith reliance on any instructions contained in a directive or on any direction or decision by a mental health care agent shall be protected and released to the same extent as though such person had interacted directly with a capable declarant.   Without limiting the generality of the provisions of subsection (a) of this Code section, the following specific provisions shall also govern, protect, and validate the acts of a mental health care agent and each such provider, facility, and any other person acting in good faith reliance on such instruction, direction, or decision:   No provider, facility, or person shall be subject to civil or criminal liability or discipline for unprofessional conduct solely for complying with any instructions contained in a directive or with any direction or decision by a mental health care agent, even if death or injury to the declarant ensues;   No provider, facility, or person shall be subject to civil or criminal liability or discipline for unprofessional conduct solely for failure to comply with any instructions contained in a directive or with any direction or decision by a mental health care agent, so long as such provider, facility, or person promptly informs such agent of such providers, facilitys, or persons refusal or failure to comply with the directive or with any direction or decision by the mental health care agent. The mental health care agent shall then be responsible for arranging the declarants transfer to another provider. A provider who is unwilling to comply with the mental health care agents decision or the directive shall continue to provide reasonably necessary consultation and care in connection with the pending transfer;   If the actions of a provider, facility, or person who fails to comply with any instruction contained in a directive or with any direction or decision by a mental health care agent are substantially in accord with reasonable medical standards at the time of consent or refusal of mental health care and such provider, facility, or person cooperates in the transfer of the declarant pursuant to subsection (d) of Code Section 37-11-12, such provider, facility, or person shall not be subject to civil or criminal liability or discipline for unprofessional conduct for failure to comply with the psychiatric advance directive;   No mental health care agent who, in good faith, acts with due care for the benefit of the declarant and in accordance with the terms of a directive, or who fails to act, shall be subject to civil or criminal liability for such action or inaction;   If the authority granted by a psychiatric advance directive is revoked under Code Section 37-11-10, a provider, facility, or agent shall not be subject to criminal prosecution or civil liability for acting in good faith reliance upon such psychiatric advance directive unless such provider, facility, or agent had actual knowledge of the revocation; and   In the event a declarant has appointed a health care agent in accordance with Chapter 32 of Title 31, no provider, facility, or person who relies in good faith on the direction of such health care agent shall be subject to civil or criminal liability or discipline for unprofessional conduct for complying with any direction or decision of such health care agent in the event the declarants condition is subsequently determined to be a mental health care condition.      History. Code 1981,  37-11-13 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 611,  1-1/HB 752.  
 A law enforcement officer who uses a declarants valid psychiatric advance directive and acts in good faith reliance on the instructions contained in such directive shall not be subject to criminal prosecution or civil liability for any harm to such declarant that results from a good faith effort to follow such directives instructions.   History. Code 1981,  37-11-14 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 611,  1-1/HB 752.  
  The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to or invalidate a valid psychiatric advance directive executed prior to July 1, 2022.   The use of the form set forth in Code Section 37-11-16 or a similar form after July 1, 2022, in the creation of a psychiatric advance directive shall be deemed lawful and, when such form is used and it meets the requirements of this chapter, it shall be construed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.   Any person may use another form for a psychiatric advance directive so long as the form is substantially similar to, otherwise complies with the provisions of this chapter, and provides notice to a declarant substantially similar to that contained in the form set forth in Code Section 37-11-16. As used in this subsection, the term substantially similar may include forms from other states.    History. Code 1981,  37-11-15 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 611,  1-1/HB 752.  
 GEORGIA PSYCHIATRIC ADVANCE DIRECTIVE By: Date of Birth: (Print Name) (Month/Day/Year) As used in this psychiatric advance directive, the term: (1) Facility means a hospital, skilled nursing facility, hospice, institution, home, residential or nursing facility, treatment facility, and any other facility or service which has a valid permit or provisional permit issued under Chapter 7 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated or which is licensed, accredited, or approved under the laws of any state, and includes hospitals operated by the United States government or by any state or subdivision thereof. (2) Provider means any person administering mental health care who is licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized or permitted by law to administer mental health care in the ordinary course of business or the practice of a profession, including, but not limited to, professional counselors, psychologists, clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and clinical nurse specialists in psychiatric and mental health; a physician; or any person acting for any such authorized person. This psychiatric advance directive has four parts: PART ONE STATEMENT OF INTENT AND TREATMENT PREFERENCES. This part allows you to state your intention for this document and state your mental health treatment preferences and consent if you have been determined to be incapable of making informed decisions about your mental health care. PART ONE will become effective only if you have been determined in the opinion of a physician or licensed psychologist who has personally examined you, or in the opinion of a court, to lack the capacity to understand the risks and benefits of, and the alternatives to, a mental health care decision under consideration and you are unable to give or communicate rational reasons for mental health care decisions because of impaired thinking, impaired ability to receive and evaluate information, or other cognitive disability. Reasonable and appropriate efforts will be made to communicate with you about your mental health treatment preferences before PART ONE becomes effective. You should talk to your family and others close to you about your intentions and mental health treatment preferences. PART TWO MENTAL HEALTH CARE AGENT. This part allows you to choose someone to make mental health care decisions for you when you cannot make mental health care decisions for yourself. The person you choose is called a mental health care agent. You should talk to your mental health care agent about this important role. PART THREE OTHER RELATED ISSUES. This part allows you to give important information to people who may be involved with you during a mental health care crisis. PART FOUR EFFECTIVENESS AND SIGNATURES. This part requires your signature and the signatures of two witnesses. You must complete PART FOUR if you have filled out any other part of this form. You may fill out any or all of the first three parts listed above. You must fill out PART FOUR of this form in order for this form to be effective. You should give a copy of this completed form to people who might need it, such as your mental health care agent, your family, and your physician. Keep a copy of this completed form at home in a place where it can easily be found if it is needed. Review this completed form periodically to make sure it still reflects your preferences. If your preferences change, complete a new psychiatric advance directive. Using this form of psychiatric advance directive is completely optional. Other forms of psychiatric advance directives may be used in Georgia. You may revoke this completed form at any time that you are capable of making informed decisions about your mental health care. If you choose to revoke this form, you should communicate your revocation to your providers, your agents, and any other person to whom you have given a copy of this form. This completed form will supersede any advance directive for health care, durable power of attorney for health care, health care proxy, or living will that you have completed before completing this form to the extent that such other documents relate to mental health care and are inconsistent with the information contained in this form. PART ONE: STATEMENT OF INTENT AND TREATMENT PREFERENCES [PART ONE will become effective only if you have been determined in the opinion of a physician or licensed psychologist who has personally examined you, or in the opinion of a court, to lack the capacity to understand the risks and benefits of, and the alternatives to, a mental health care decision under consideration and you are unable to give or communicate rational reasons for mental health care decisions because of impaired thinking, impaired ability to receive and evaluate information, or other cognitive disability. Reasonable and appropriate efforts will be made to communicate with you about your mental health treatment preferences before PART ONE becomes effective. PART ONE will be effective even if PARTS TWO or THREE are not completed. If you have not selected a mental health care agent in PART TWO, or if your mental health care agent is not available, then PART ONE will communicate your treatment preferences to your providers or a facility providing care to you. If you have selected a mental health care agent in PART TWO, then your mental health care agent will have the authority to make health care decisions for you regarding matters guided by your mental health treatment preferences and other factors described in this PART.] (1) STATEMENT OF INTENT I, , being of sound mind, willfully and voluntarily make this psychiatric advance directive as a means of expressing in advance my informed choices and consent regarding my mental health care in the event I become incapable of making informed decisions on my own behalf. I understand this document becomes effective if it is determined by a physician or licensed psychologist who has personally examined me, or in the opinion of a court, that I lack the capacity to understand the risks, benefits, and alternatives to a mental health care treatment decision under consideration and I am unable to give or communicate rational reasons for my mental health care treatment decisions because of impaired thinking, impaired ability to receive and evaluate information, or other cognitive disability. (your name) If I am deemed incapable of making mental health care decisions, I intend for this document to constitute my advance authorization and consent, based on my past experiences with my illness and knowledge gained from those experiences, for treatment that is medically indicated and consistent with the preferences I have expressed in this document. I understand this document continues in operation only during my incapacity to make mental health care decisions. I understand I may revoke this document only during periods when I am mentally capable. I intend for this psychiatric advance directive to take precedence over any advance directive for health care executed pursuant to Chapter 32 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, durable power of attorney for health care creating a health care agency under the former Chapter 36 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, as such chapter existed on and before June 30, 2007, health care proxy, or living will that I have executed prior to executing this form to the extent that such other documents relate to mental health care and are inconsistent with this executed document. In the event that a decision maker is appointed by a court to make mental health care decisions for me, I intend this document to take precedence over all other means of determining my intent while I was competent. It is my intent that a person or facility involved in my care shall not be civilly liable or criminally prosecuted for honoring my wishes as expressed in this document or for following the directions of my agent. (2) INFORMATION REGARDING MY SYMPTOMS The following are symptoms or behaviors I typically exhibit when escalating toward a mental health crisis. If I exhibit any of these symptoms or behaviors, an evaluation may be needed regarding whether I am incapable of making mental health care decisions: The following may cause me to experience a mental health crisis or to make my symptoms worse: The following techniques may be helpful in de-escalating my crisis: When I exhibit the following behaviors, I would like to be evaluated to determine whether I have regained the capacity to make my mental health care decisions: (3) PREFERRED CLINICIANS The names of my doctors, therapists, pharmacists, and other mental health care professionals and their telephone numbers are: Name and telephone numbers: I prefer and consent to treatment from the following clinicians: Names: I refuse to be treated by the following clinicians: Names: (4) TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS Medications I am currently using and consent to continue to use the following medications (include all medications, whether for mental health care treatment or general health care treatment): If additional medications become necessary, I prefer and consent to take the following medications: I cannot tolerate the following medications because: I am allergic to the following medications: If my preferred medications cannot be given and I have not appointed an agent in PART TWO to make an alternative decision for me, I want my treating physician to choose an alternative medication that would best meet my mental health needs, subject to any limitations I have expressed in my treating instructions above. Yes No (Check yes if you agree with this statement and no if you disagree with this statement.) No In the event I need to have medication administered, I would prefer and consent to the following methods : (Check yes or no and list a reason for your request if you have one.) Medication in pill form: Yes No Reason: Liquid medication: Yes No Reason: Medication by injection: Yes No Reason: Covert medication (without my knowledge in drink or food): Yes No Reason: Hospitalization is Not My First Choice It is my intention, if possible, to stay at home or in the community with the following supports: If I need outpatient therapy, I prefer and consent to it being provided by: Additional instructions that may help me avoid a hospitalization: Treatment Facilities If it becomes necessary for me to be hospitalized, I would prefer and consent to being treated at the following facilities: I refuse to be treated at the following facilities: Reason(s) for wishing to avoid the above facilities: I generally react to being hospitalized as follows: Staff at a facility can help me by doing the following: I give permission for the following people to visit me: Additional Interventions (Please place your initials in the blanks) I prefer the following interventions as indicated by my initials and consent to any intervention where I have initialed next to yes. Seclusion: Yes No Reason: Physical restraints: Yes No Reason: Experimental treatment: Yes No Reason: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): Yes No Reason: Any limitations on consent to the administration of electroconvulsive therapy: Other instructions as to my preferred interventions: (5) ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS [This section is optional. This PART will be effective even if this section is left blank. This section allows you to state additional mental health treatment preferences, to provide additional guidance to your mental health care agent (if you have selected a mental health care agent in PART TWO), or to provide information about your personal and religious values about your mental health care and treatment. Understanding that you cannot foresee everything that could happen to you, you may want to provide guidance to your mental health care agent (if you have selected a mental health care agent in PART TWO) about following your mental health treatment preferences.] PART TWO: MENTAL HEALTH CARE AGENT [PART ONE will be effective even if PART TWO is not completed. If you do not wish to appoint an agent, do not complete PART TWO. A provider who is directly involved in your health care or any employee of that provider may not serve as your mental health care agent unless such employee is your family member, friend, or associate and is not directly involved in your health care. An employee of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities or of a local public mental health agency or of any organization that contracts with a local public mental health authority may not serve as your mental health care agent unless such person is your family member, friend, or associate and is not directly involved in your health care. If you are married, a future divorce or annulment of your marriage will revoke the selection of your current spouse as your mental health care agent unless you indicate otherwise in Section (10) of this PART. If you are not married, a future marriage will revoke the selection of your mental health care agent unless the person you selected as your mental health care agent is your new spouse.] (6) MENTAL HEALTH CARE AGENT I select the following person as my mental health care agent to make mental health care decisions for me: Name: Address: Telephone Numbers: (Home, Work, and Mobile) Agents Acceptance: I have read this form, and I certify that I do not, have not, and will not provide mental health care and treatment for: (your name) I accept the designation as agent for: (your name) (Agents signature and date) (7) BACK-UP MENTAL HEALTH CARE AGENT [This section is optional. PART TWO will be effective even if this section is left blank.] If my mental health care agent cannot be contacted in a reasonable time period and cannot be located with reasonable efforts or for any reason my mental health care agent is unavailable or unable or unwilling to act as my mental health care agent, then I select the following, each to act successively in the order named, as my back-up mental health care agent(s): Name: Address: Telephone Numbers: (Home, Work, and Mobile) Back-up Agents Acceptance: I have read this form, and I certify that I do not, have not, and will not provide mental health care and treatment for: (your name) I accept the designation as agent for: (your name) (Back-up agents signature and date) Name: Address: Telephone Numbers: (Home, Work, and Mobile) Back-up Agents Acceptance: I have read this form, and I certify that I do not, have not, and will not provide mental health care and treatment for: (your name) I accept the designation as agent for: (your name) (Back-up agents signature and date) (8) GENERAL POWERS OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE AGENT My mental health care agent will make mental health care decisions for me when I have been determined in the opinion of a physician or licensed psychologist who has personally examined me, or in the opinion of a court, to lack the capacity to understand the risks and benefits of, and the alternatives to, a mental health care treatment decision under consideration and I am unable to give or communicate rational reasons for my mental health care decisions because of impaired thinking, impaired ability to receive and evaluate information, or other cognitive disability. My mental health care agent will have the same authority to make any mental health care decision that I could make. My mental health care agents authority includes, for example, the power to: Request and consent to admission or discharge from any facility; Request, consent to, authorize, or withdraw consent to any type of provider or mental health care that is consistent with my instructions in PART ONE of this form and subject to the limitations set forth in Section (4) of PART ONE; and Contract for any health care facility or service for me, and to obligate me to pay for these services (and my mental health care agent will not be financially liable for any services or care contracted for me or on my behalf). My mental health care agent will be my personal representative for all purposes of federal or state law related to privacy of medical records (including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) and will have the same access to my medical records that I have and can disclose the contents of my medical records to others for my ongoing mental health care. My mental health care agent may accompany me in an ambulance or air ambulance if in the opinion of the ambulance personnel protocol permits a passenger, and my mental health care agent may visit or consult with me in person while I am in a facility if its protocol permits visitation. My mental health care agent may present a copy of this psychiatric advance directive in lieu of the original, and the copy will have the same meaning and effect as the original. I understand that under Georgia law: My mental health care agent may refuse to act as my mental health care agent; and A court can take away the powers of my mental health care agent if it finds that my mental health care agent is not acting in accordance with this directive. (9) GUIDANCE FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE AGENT In the event my directive is being used, my agent should first look at my instructions as expressed in PART ONE. If a situation occurs for which I have not expressed a preference, or in the event my preference is not available, my mental health care agent should think about what action would be consistent with past conversations we have had, my treatment preferences as expressed in PART ONE, my religious and other beliefs and values, and how I have handled medical and other important issues in the past. If what I would decide is still unclear, then my mental health care agent should make decisions for me that my mental health care agent believes are in my best interests, considering the benefits, burdens, and risks of my current circumstances and treatment options. I impose the following limitations on my agents authority to act on my behalf: (10) WHEN SPOUSE IS MENTAL HEALTH CARE AGENT AND THERE HAS BEEN A DIVORCE OR ANNULMENT OF OUR MARRIAGE [Initial if you agree with this statement; leave blank if you do not.] I desire the person I have named as my agent, who is now my spouse, to remain as my agent even if we become divorced or our marriage is annulled. PART THREE: OTHER RELATED ISSUES [ PART THREE is optional. This psychiatric advance directive will be effective even if PART THREE is left blank.] (11) GUIDANCE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT I typically react to law enforcement in the following ways: The following person(s) may be helpful in the event of law enforcement involvement: Name: Telephone Number: Relationship: Name: Telephone Number: Relationship: (12) HELP FROM OTHERS The following people are part of my support system (child care, pet care, getting my mail, paying my bills, etc.) and should be contacted in the event of a crisis: Name: Telephone Number: Responsibility: Name: Telephone Number: Responsibility: Name: Telephone Number: Responsibility: PART FOUR: EFFECTIVENESS AND SIGNATURES This psychiatric advance directive will become effective only if I have been determined in the opinion of a physician or licensed psychologist who has personally examined me, or in the opinion of a court, to lack the capacity to understand the risks and benefits of, and the alternatives to, a mental health care decision under consideration and I am unable to give or communicate rational reasons for my mental health care decisions because of impaired thinking, impaired ability to receive and evaluate information, or other cognitive disability. This form revokes any psychiatric advance directive that I have executed before this date. To the extent this form is in conflict or is inconsistent with any advance directive for health care, durable power of attorney for health care, health care proxy, or living will executed by me at any time, this form shall control with respect to my mental health care. Unless I have initialed below and have provided alternative future dates or events, this psychiatric advance directive will become effective at the time I sign it and will remain effective until my death. (Initials) This psychiatric advance directive will become effective on or upon (date) and will terminate on or upon (date). [You must sign and date or acknowledge signing and dating this form in the presence of two witnesses. Both witnesses must be of sound mind and must be at least 18 years of age, but the witnesses do not have to be together or present with you when you sign this form. A witness: Cannot be a person who was selected to be your mental health care agent or back-up mental health care agent in PART TWO; Cannot be a provider who is providing mental health care to you at the time you execute this directive or an employee of such provider unless the witness is your family member, friend, or associate and is not directly involved in your mental health care; and Cannot be an employee of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities or of a local public mental health agency or of any organization that contracts with a local public mental health authority unless the witness is your family member, friend, or associate and is not directly involved in your mental health care.] By signing below, I state that I am of sound mind and capable of making this psychiatric advance directive and that I understand its purpose and effect. (Signature of Declarant) (Date) The declarant signed this form in my presence or acknowledged signing this form to me. Based upon my personal observation, the declarant appeared to be of sound mind and mentally capable of making this psychiatric advance directive and signed this form willingly and voluntarily. (Signature of First Witness)(Date) Print Name: Address: (Signature of Second Witness)(Date) Print Name: Address: [This form does not need to be notarized.]   Click to view   History. Code 1981,  37-11-16 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 611,  1-1/HB 752.  
 This chapter is enacted in recognition of the fundamental right of an individual to have power over decisions relating to his or her mental health care as a matter of public policy.   History. Code 1981,  37-11-2 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 611,  1-1/HB 752.  
 As used in this chapter, the term:    Capable means not incapable of making mental health care decisions.   Competent adult means a person of sound mind who is 18 years of age or older or is an emancipated minor.   Declarant means a person who has executed a psychiatric advance directive authorized by this chapter.   Facility means a hospital, skilled nursing facility, hospice, institution, home, residential or nursing facility, treatment facility, and any other facility or service which has a valid permit or provisional permit issued under Chapter 7 of Title 31 or which is licensed, accredited, or approved under the laws of any state, and includes hospitals operated by the United States government or by any state or subdivision thereof and community service boards.   Incapable of making mental health care decisions means that, in the opinion of a physician or licensed psychologist who has personally examined a declarant, or in the opinion of a court, a declarant lacks the capacity to understand the risks and benefits of, and the alternatives to, a mental health care decision under consideration and is unable to give or communicate rational reasons for mental health care decisions because of impaired thinking, impaired ability to receive and evaluate information, or other cognitive disability.   Mental health care means any care, treatment, service, or procedure to maintain, diagnose, treat, or provide for a declarants mental or emotional illness, developmental disability, or addictive disease.   Mental health care agent or agent means a person appointed by a declarant to act for and on behalf of such declarant to make decisions related to consent, refusal, or withdrawal of any type of mental health care when such declarant is incapable of making mental health care decisions for himself or herself. Such term shall include any back-up mental health care agent appointed by a declarant.   Physician means a person lawfully licensed in this state to practice medicine pursuant to Article 2 of Chapter 34 of Title 43 and, if the declarant is receiving mental health care in another state, a person lawfully licensed in such state.   Provider means any person administering mental health care who is licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized or permitted by law to administer mental health care in the ordinary course of business or the practice of a profession, including, but not limited to, professional counselors, psychologists, clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and clinical nurse specialists in psychiatric and mental health; a physician; or any person acting for any such authorized person.   Psychiatric advance directive or directive means a written document voluntarily executed by a person in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 37-11-9.    History. Code 1981,  37-11-3 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 611,  1-1/HB 752.  
  A competent adult may execute a psychiatric advance directive containing mental health care preferences, information, or instructions regarding his or her mental health care that authorizes and consents to a provider or facility acting in accordance with such directive. A directive may include consent to or refusal of specified mental health care.   A psychiatric advance directive may include, but shall not be limited to:   The names and telephone numbers of individuals to contact in the event a declarant has a mental health crisis;   Situations that have been known to cause a declarant to experience a mental health crisis;   Responses that have been known to de-escalate a declarants mental health crisis;   Responses that may assist a declarant to remain in such declarants home during a mental health crisis;   The types of assistance that may help stabilize a declarant if it becomes necessary to enter a facility; and   Medications a declarant is taking or has taken in the past and the effects of such medications.     A psychiatric advance directive may include a mental health care agent.   If a declarant chooses not to appoint an agent, the instructions and desires of a declarant as set forth in the directive shall be followed to the fullest extent possible by every provider or facility to whom the directive is communicated, subject to the right of the provider or facility to refuse to comply with the directive as set forth in Code Section 37-11-12.   A person shall not be required to execute or refrain from executing a directive as a criterion for insurance, as a condition for receiving mental health care or physical health care services, or as a condition of discharge from a facility.   Unless a declarant indicates otherwise, a psychiatric advance directive shall take precedence over any advance directive for health care executed pursuant to Chapter 32 of Title 31; durable power of attorney for health care creating a health care agency under the former Chapter 36 of Title 31, as such chapter existed on and before June 30, 2007; health care proxy; or living will that a declarant executed prior to executing a psychiatric advance directive to the extent that such other documents relate to mental health care and are inconsistent with the psychiatric advance directive.   No provision of this chapter shall be construed to bar use by a declarant of an advance directive for health care under Chapter 32 of Title 31.    History. Code 1981,  37-11-4 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 611,  1-1/HB 752.  
  A declarant may designate a competent adult to act as his or her agent to make decisions about his or her mental health care. An alternative agent may also be designated.   An agent shall have no authority to make mental health care decisions when a declarant is capable.   The authority of an agent shall continue in effect so long as the directive appointing such agent is in effect or until such agent has withdrawn.   An agent appointed by a declarant:   Shall be authorized to make any and all mental health care decisions on behalf of such declarant which such declarant could make if such declarant were capable;   Shall exercise granted powers in a manner consistent with the intent and desires of such declarant. If such declarants intentions and desires are not expressed or are unclear, the agent shall act in such declarants best interests, considering the benefits, burdens, and risks of such declarants circumstances and mental health care options;   Shall not be under any duty to exercise granted powers or to assume control of or responsibility for such declarants mental health care; but, when granted powers are exercised, the agent shall be required to use due care to act for the benefit of such declarant in accordance with the terms of the psychiatric advance directive;   Shall not make a mental health care decision different from or contrary to such declarants instruction if such declarant is capable at the time of the request for consent or refusal of mental health care;     May make a mental health care decision different from or contrary to such declarants instruction in such declarants psychiatric advance directive if:   Such declarants provider or facility determines in good faith at the time of consent or refusal of mental health care that the mental health care requested or refused in the directives instructions is:   Unavailable;   Medically contraindicated in a manner that would result in substantial harm to such declarant if administered; or   In the opinion of the provider or facility, inconsistent with reasonable medical standards to benefit such declarant or has proven ineffective in treating such declarants mental health condition; and     The mental health care requested or refused in the directives instructions is unlikely to be delivered by another provider or facility in the community under the circumstances.     In the event the agent exercises authority under one of the circumstances set forth in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the agent shall exercise the authority in a manner consistent with the intent and desires of such declarant. If such declarants intentions and desires are not expressed or are unclear, the agent shall act in such declarants best interests, considering the benefits, burdens, and risks of such declarants circumstances and mental health care options;     Shall not delegate authority to make mental health care decisions; and   Has the following general powers, unless expressly limited in the psychiatric advance directive:   To sign and deliver all instruments, negotiate and enter into all agreements, and do all other acts reasonably necessary to exercise the powers granted to the agent;   To consent to, authorize, refuse, or withdraw consent to any providers and any type of mental health care of such declarant, including any medication program;   To request and consent to admission or discharge from any facility; and   To contract for mental health care and facilities in the name of and on behalf of such declarant, and the agent shall not be personally financially liable for any services or mental health care contracted for on behalf of such declarant.       A court may remove a mental health care agent if it finds that an agent is not acting in accordance with the declarants treatment instructions as expressed in his or her directive.    History. Code 1981,  37-11-5 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 611,  1-1/HB 752.  
  Except to the extent that a right is limited by a directive or by any state or federal law or regulation, an agent shall have the same right as a declarant to receive information regarding the proposed mental health care and to receive, review, and consent to disclosure of medical records, including records relating to the treatment of a substance use disorder, relating to that mental health care. All of a declarants mental health information and medical records shall remain otherwise protected under state and federal privilege, and this right of access shall not waive any evidentiary privilege.   At the declarants expense and subject to reasonable rules of a provider or facility to prevent disruption of the declarants mental health care, an agent shall have the same right the declarant has to examine, copy, and consent to disclosure of all the declarants medical records that the agent deems relevant to the exercise of the agents powers, whether the records relate to mental health or any other medical condition and whether they are in the possession of or maintained by any physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, therapist, facility, or other health care provider, despite contrary provisions of any other statute or rule of law.   The authority given an agent by this Code section shall include all rights that a declarant has under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, P.L. 104-191, and its implementing regulations regarding the use and disclosure of individually identifiable health information and other medical records.    History. Code 1981,  37-11-6 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 611,  1-1/HB 752.    U.S. Code.    The federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, referred to in subsection (c), is codified at 42 U.S.C.  13206 et seq.  
 The following persons shall not serve as a declarants agent:    Such declarants provider or an employee of that provider unless such employee is a family member, friend, or associate of such declarant and is not directly involved in such declarants mental health care; or   An employee of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities or of a local public mental health agency or of any organization that contracts with a local public mental health authority unless such employee is a family member, friend, or associate of such declarant and is not directly involved in such declarants mental health care.    History. Code 1981,  37-11-7 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 611,  1-1/HB 752.  
 An agent may withdraw by giving written notice to a declarant. If such declarant is incapable of making mental health care decisions, such agent may withdraw by giving written notice to the provider or facility that is providing mental health care to the declarant at the time of the agents withdrawal. Any provider or facility that receives an agents withdrawal shall document the withdrawal as part of such declarants medical record.   History. Code 1981,  37-11-8 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 611,  1-1/HB 752.  
  A psychiatric advance directive shall be effective only if it is signed by the declarant and witnessed by two competent adults, but such witnesses shall not be required to be together or present when such declarant signs the directive. The witnesses shall attest that the declarant is known to them, appears to be of sound mind, is not under duress, fraud, or undue influence, and signed his or her directive in the witnesss presence or acknowledges signing his or her directive. For purposes of this subsection, the term of sound mind means having a decided and rational desire to create a psychiatric advance directive.   A validly executed psychiatric advance directive shall become effective upon its proper execution and shall remain in effect until revoked by the declarant.   The following persons shall not serve as witnesses to the signing of a directive:   A provider who is providing mental health care to the declarant at the time such directive is being executed or an employee of such provider unless such employee is a family member, friend, or associate of such declarant and is not directly involved in the declarants mental health care;   An employee of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities or of a local public mental health agency or of any organization that contracts with a local public mental health authority unless such person is a family member, friend, or associate of such declarant and is not directly involved in the declarants mental health care; or   A person selected to serve as the declarants mental health care agent.     A person who witnesses a psychiatric advance directive in good faith and in accordance with this chapter shall not be civilly liable or criminally prosecuted for actions taken by an agent.   A copy of a directive executed in accordance with this Code section shall be valid and have the same meaning and effect as the original document.    History. Code 1981,  37-11-9 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 611,  1-1/HB 752.  
 As used in this chapter, the term:    Behavioral health crisis means any circumstance when symptoms of a persons behavioral health disorder put that person or others at risk for causing personal injury or property damage.   Behavioral health disorder means a mental or emotional illness, developmental disability, or addictive disease.   Co-responder program means a program established through a partnership between a community service board and a law enforcement agency to utilize the combined expertise of peace officers and behavioral health professionals on emergency calls involving behavioral health crises to de-escalate situations and help link individuals with behavioral health issues to appropriate services.   Co-responder team means a team established pursuant to a co-responder program, composed of at least one officer team member and one community service board team member.   Communications officer means and includes any person employed by a public safety agency to receive, process, or transmit public safety information and dispatch law enforcement officers, firefighters, medical personnel, or emergency management personnel.   Community service board team member means a behavioral health professional working at the direction of a community service board who is licensed or certified in this state to provide counseling services or to provide other support services to individuals and their families regarding a behavioral health disorder, and who is part of a co-responder team.   Law enforcement agency means a governmental unit of one or more persons employed full time or part time by the state, a state agency or department, or a political subdivision of the state for the purpose of preventing and detecting crime and enforcing state laws or local ordinances, employees of which unit are authorized to make arrests for crimes while acting within the scope of their authority.   Officer team member means a peace officer who is part of a co-responder team.   Public safety agency means the state or local entity which receives emergency calls placed through an emergency 9-1-1 system and dispatches fire-fighting, law enforcement, emergency medical, or other emergency services.    History. Code 1981,  37-12-1 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 722,  5/SB 403.  
  Community service board team members may review publicly available arrest and incarceration records and may request access to evaluate currently incarcerated individuals for the purpose of identifying individuals who may be treated more effectively within the behavioral health system rather than the criminal justice system. If such individuals are identified, the community service board team member shall provide a written recommendation to the appropriate law enforcement agency and jail or prison operator for consideration. The law enforcement agency and jail or prison operator shall provide community service board team members with access to requested nonrestricted records and shall grant access to such records at mutually convenient times, for the purpose of facilitating the community service board team members analysis.   The department shall establish a referral system, by which any law enforcement agency may request behavioral health consultation for an individual who is currently incarcerated, or frequently incarcerated, who it believes may be treated more effectively within the behavioral health system rather than the criminal justice system. The department shall assign the case to the appropriate community service board for evaluation and any appropriate treatment to be provided or facilitated by the community service board.    History. Code 1981,  37-12-10 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 722,  5/SB 403.  
  Each community service board shall compile and maintain records of the services provided by co-responder teams and community service board team members, which shall include community follow-ups and actions taken on behalf of incarcerated individuals together with reasonably available outcome data. Community service boards shall report data to the department in a form developed cooperatively by the community service boards.   No later than January 31, 2024, and annually thereafter, the department shall issue a written annual report regarding the co-responder program, which shall include statistics derived from all sources, including community service board documentation and reports. Data shall be presented per community service board, where available, and cumulatively. Such report shall be posted in a prominent location on the departments website.    History. Code 1981,  37-12-11 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 722,  5/SB 403.  
  The requirements contained in this chapter shall be contingent upon the appropriation of funds by the General Assembly or the availability of other funds.   No later than July 15, 2023, and annually thereafter, the department shall submit to the board proposed budgets for co-responder programs for each community service board. The proposed budget for each community service board shall be based on each community service boards operational analysis and shall include the salaries of an adequate number of staff dedicated to the responsibilities of the co-responder program and shall delineate unique factors existing in the area served, such as the population and demographics.   In the event that full funding or staffing is not obtained by a community service board, such board may work collaboratively with other entities, including but not limited to the Georgia Association of Community Service Boards, to identify and apply for potential sources of additional funding, identify and pursue additional recruiting options, and identify the elements of the co-responder program that will be implemented given the resources available, until full resources are obtained.   The department may pursue funding for purposes of implementing the co-responder program pursuant to this chapter, including without limitation from block grants, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act of 2020, P.L. 116-136; the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, P.L. 117-2; and other grants.    History. Code 1981,  37-12-12 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 722,  5/SB 403.    Editors notes.    Funds were appropriated at the 2022 session of the General Assembly.  
 Any peace officer, law enforcement agency, community service board, community service board team member, public safety agency, communications officer, or any employee or contractor thereof, who acts in good faith in compliance with the provisions of this chapter shall be immune from civil or criminal liability for his or her actions in connection with any of the following decisions: to dispatch or not dispatch a co-responder team, to incarcerate an individual, to transport an individual to an emergency receiving facility, or not take an individual into custody.   History. Code 1981,  37-12-13 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 722,  5/SB 403.  
 Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as creating an exclusive method for a law enforcement agency to establish emergency response teams combining peace officers and behavioral health specialists.   History. Code 1981,  37-12-14 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 722,  5/SB 403.  
  Each community service board shall establish a co-responder program to offer assistance or consultation to peace officers responding to emergency calls involving individuals with behavioral health crises. Law enforcement agencies within a community service boards service area may elect to partner with the community service board to establish one or more co-responder teams.   When a law enforcement agency that has entered into a co-responder partnership with a community service board responds to an emergency call involving an individual with a behavioral health crisis and a co-responder team is dispatched, a community service board team member shall be available to accompany the officer team member in person or via virtual means or shall be available for consultation via telephone or telehealth during such emergency call. The officer team member may consider input from the community service board team member in determining whether to refer an individual for behavioral health treatment or other community support or to transport the individual for emergency evaluation in accordance with Code Section 37-3-42 or 37-7-42, rather than making an arrest.   In the event that the officer team member transports the individual for emergency evaluation in accordance with Code Section 37-3-42 or 37-7-42, the emergency receiving facility shall notify the community service board, prior to the release of the individual whether or not the individual is admitted for treatment, for purposes of identifying and facilitating any necessary follow-up services for such individual to prevent relapse.   Following an individuals behavioral health crisis, the community service board shall make available voluntary outpatient therapy to eligible individuals pursuant to Code Section 37-12-9.   Transport conducted pursuant to this Code section shall occur in government-owned vehicles configured for safe transport based on the individuals condition; provided, however, that the officer team member may authorize alternative transportation by a medical transport company or otherwise if deemed safe to do so based on the individuals condition.    History. Code 1981,  37-12-2 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 722,  5/SB 403.    Code Commission notes.    Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 2022,  Code Section 37-12-9 was substituted for  Code Section 37-11-9 at the end of subsection (d).  
 Every county shall retain a written list available for public inspection that identifies all law enforcement agencies within such county whose routine responsibilities include responding to emergency calls. Such list shall be created no later than August 1, 2022, and shall be updated immediately when additional departments assume routine responsibility for emergency response and shall be maintained with current information.   History. Code 1981,  37-12-3 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 722,  5/SB 403.  
  Each community service board shall employ or contract with behavioral health professionals who are licensed in this state to provide counseling services, or to provide other support services to individuals and their families regarding a behavioral health disorder, and whose responsibilities include participation as a community service board team member on a co-responder team. The community service board shall designate a sufficient number of individuals to serve as community service board team members to partner with the law enforcement agencies located within the community service boards service area, with on-call availability at all times.   The department shall maintain a current, written list of emergency receiving facilities within each community service board area where an individual experiencing a behavioral health crisis may be transported by or at the direction of an officer or team member. The written list shall be maintained by each community service board and provided to each law enforcement agency.    History. Code 1981,  37-12-4 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 722,  5/SB 403.  
  A law enforcement agency that has entered into a co-responder partnership with a community service board shall designate one or more peace officers to participate as officer team members in a co-responder team.   A law enforcement agency that has not entered into a co-responder partnership with a community service board shall designate one peace officer to serve as the primary point of contact with the community service board.   A law enforcement agency shall designate a peace officer who shall serve on the co-responder protocol committee.    History. Code 1981,  37-12-5 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 722,  5/SB 403.  
  Officer team members may elect to receive crisis intervention team training as approved by the Georgia Police Officer Standards and Training Council.   All communications officers and other employees of public safety agencies who make dispatch decisions shall receive educational training about identifying emergency calls involving individuals in a behavioral health crisis and dispatching appropriate response units.   Community service board team members shall receive training on the operations, policies, and procedures of the law enforcement agencies with which they partner.   All training undertaken in accordance with this Code section shall be provided at the expense of the department and at no expense to any law enforcement agency, public safety agency, or community service board.    History. Code 1981,  37-12-6 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 722,  5/SB 403.  
 When an emergency call involving an individuals behavioral health crisis is received by a communications officer or public safety agency, and a civilian-only response team is not appropriate or available, the communications officer shall notify the co-responder team in the jurisdiction where the emergency is located, if practicable, regardless of whether other peace officers are also dispatched. The co-responder team will work collaboratively to de-escalate the situation; provided, however, that all final decisions shall be made by the officer team member or his or her superiors.   History. Code 1981,  37-12-7 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 722,  5/SB 403.  
 Each community service board shall establish a co-responder protocol committee for its service area which shall work to increase the availability, efficiency, and effectiveness of community response to behavioral health crises. The protocol committee shall address best practices for issues which arise during the operation of co-responder teams. Such issues include, but shall not be limited to, data collection, privacy protection, interagency coordination, intragovernmental coordination, available treatment modalities, data sharing and analysis, training, and community outreach. Implemented best practices should increase public safety in the service area, improve outcomes for individuals experiencing mental health crises, and enhance cooperation between law enforcement and behavioral health specialists.   History. Code 1981,  37-12-8 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 722,  5/SB 403.  
 When a co-responder team responds to a behavioral health crisis, the community service board of the service area where the crisis occurred shall contact the individual within two business days following the crisis, regardless of whether that individual was incarcerated. If the individual resides in a different community service board area, the case shall be transferred to the appropriate community service board. The community service board handling the case shall work to identify the types of services needed to support the individuals stability and to locate affordable sources for those services, including housing and job placement. If the individual was incarcerated, the community service board may make recommendations for inclusion in a jail release plan. Following the behavioral health crisis, the community service board shall provide voluntary outpatient therapy as needed.   History. Code 1981,  37-12-9 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 722,  5/SB 403.  
  The State of Georgia recognizes its responsibility for its citizens who are mentally ill or developmentally disabled including individuals with epilepsy, cerebral palsy, autism, and other neurologically disabling conditions or who abuse alcohol, narcotics, or other drugs and recognizes an obligation to such citizens to meet their needs through a coordinated system of community facilities, programs, and services.   It is the policy of this state to provide adequate mental health, developmental disability, addictive disease, and other disability services to all its citizens. It is further the policy of this state to provide such services through a unified system which encourages cooperation and sharing of resources among all providers of such services, both governmental and private.   It is the purpose of this chapter to enable and encourage the development of comprehensive, preventive, early detection, habilitative, rehabilitative, and treatment disability services; to improve and expand community programs for the disabled; to provide continuity of care through integration of county, area, regional, and state services and facilities for the disabled; to provide for joint disability services and the sharing of manpower and other resources; and to monitor and restructure the system of providing disability services in the State of Georgia to make better use of the combined public and private resources of the state and local communities.   The provisions of this chapter shall be liberally construed to achieve the objectives set forth in this Code section.     History.  Code 1933,  88-601, enacted by Ga. L. 1976, p. 953,  1; Ga. L. 1986, p. 1213,  1; Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  16; Ga. L. 1995, p. 1302,  17; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-7; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228.    Cross references.    Special education services for children who are physically, mentally, or emotionally disabled,  20-2-152 .   State health planning and development generally, T. 31, C. 6.   Coverage for autism,  33-24-59.10 .    Code Commission notes.    Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 1993, the was deleted following encourage the near the beginning of subsection (c).    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which amends this Code section, provides, in  19.1, not codified by the General Assembly, that the amendment is repealed on June 30, 1999; however, Ga. L. 1998, p. 870,  1, struck  19.1 of Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which would have repealed the 1993 amendment to this Code section.  
  Notwithstanding any other provisions of the law, the commissioner with the concurrence of the Governor is authorized to establish and administer community programs on an emergency basis in the event one or more community service boards or their respective governing boards fail to assume responsibility for the establishment and implementation of an adequate range of disability services or to provide appropriate disability services as determined by the department or substantially breach their contracts with the department pursuant to this chapter.   Upon notification by a governing board of a community service board of an inability to provide an adequate range of disability services or to provide appropriate services, the commissioner, with concurrence of the Governor, may:   Assume responsibility for the administration and operation of all of the community programs operated by or through such board and, in which case, the programs shall become department programs; the department shall acquire the assets of the community service board; the community service board employees shall become employees of the department; and the governing board of the community service board shall be dissolved; or   Assume responsibility for the administration and operation of one or more of the community programs operated by or through such board, in which case, such program or programs shall become a department program or programs; the department shall acquire those assets of the community service board assigned to such program or programs; and the employees of such program or programs shall become employees of the department. Any community service board programs not transferred to the department shall continue to be operated by the governing board of the community service board and the employees for such programs shall remain community service board employees.       Notwithstanding any other provisions of the law, the commissioner with the concurrence of the Governor is authorized to appoint a manager or management team to manage and operate the programs and services of the community service board if the commissioner finds that the community service board:   Provides notice pursuant to Code Section 37-2-6.5 that the community service board intends to cease operations;   Intentionally, recklessly, or negligently failed to discharge its duties pursuant to a contract with the department;   Misused state or federal funds;   Engaged in a fraudulent act, transaction, practice, or course of business;   Endangered the life, safety, or health of a consumer served by the community service board;   Failed to keep fiscal records and maintain proper control over its assets;   Failed to respond to a substantial deficiency in a review or audit;   Otherwise substantially failed to comply with this chapter or the rules or standards of the department; or     In order to carry out the provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection, the commissioner shall give written notice to the governing board of the community service board regarding the appointment of a manager or management team and the circumstances on which the appointment is based. The governing board of the community service board shall be immediately suspended upon the appointment of a manager or management team by the commissioner. The commissioner may require the community service board to pay costs incurred by the manager or management team.   Subject to the determination of the commissioner, a manager or management team appointed pursuant to this subsection may:   A manager or management team appointed pursuant to this subsection may not use or dispose of any asset or funds contributed to the community service board by the governing authority of a county or municipal corporation without the approval of such governing authority.   A manager or management team appointed pursuant to this subsection shall be free from all liability, joint or several, for the manager or management teams acts, omissions, and conduct and for the acts, omissions, and conduct of their duly constituted agents in the administration of the community service board or its programs. The state shall indemnify and save them, and each of them, harmless from the effects and consequences of their acts, omissions, and conduct in their official capacity, except to the extent that such effects and consequences shall result from their own willful misconduct.   If a manager or management team is appointed pursuant to this Code section, the department may:   Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit the department from canceling a contract with a community service board.       No longer has the fiscal ability to continue to provide contracted services and, without the intervention of the department, continued provision of disability services or health services to consumers in the service area is in immediate jeopardy.   Evaluate, redesign, modify, administer, supervise, or monitor a procedure, operation, or the management of the community service board;   Hire, supervise, discipline, reassign, or terminate the employment of an employee of the community service board;   Reallocate the resources and manage the assets of the community service board;   Require that a financial transaction, expenditure, or contract for goods and services be approved by the manager or management team;   Redesign, modify, or terminate a program or service of the community service board;   Direct the executive director, chief financial officer, or any other administrative or program manager, employee, or agent to take an action;   Exercise a power, duty, authority, or function of the community service board or its governing board as authorized by this chapter;   Recommend to the commissioner the removal of a member or members of the governing board of the community service board or the executive director of the community service board; and the provisions of any law to the contrary notwithstanding, the commissioner may remove such member or executive director from office. If the commissioner removes a member or members of the governing board of the community service board pursuant to this subparagraph, the member or members so removed shall be replaced pursuant to Code Section 37-2-6; and   Report at least monthly to the commissioner on actions taken.   Upon a determination that the conditions that gave rise to the appointment of a manager or management team pursuant to this subsection have been met and that such manager or management team is no longer necessary, terminate the authority delegated to such manager or management team and restore authority to the governing board of the community service board to manage and operate the services and programs of the community service board; or   Operate and manage the programs of the community service board until such time as arrangements can be made to secure one or more alternate service providers to assume responsibility for the provision of services previously provided by the community service board. If this option is exercised, the department shall petition the appropriate superior court for appointment of a receiver pursuant to subsection (d) of Code Section 37-2-6.5.         History.  Code 1933,  88-610, enacted by Ga. L. 1976, p. 953,  1; Ga. L. 1986, p. 1213,  1; Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  16; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-7; Ga. L. 2006, p. 310,  8/HB 1223; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228; Ga. L. 2010, p. 878,  37/HB 1387; Ga. L. 2014, p. 309,  8/SB 349; Ga. L. 2015, p. 385,  7-2/HB 252.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which amends this Code section, provides, in  19.1, not codified by the General Assembly, that the amendment is repealed on June 30, 1999; however, Ga. L. 1998, p. 870,  1, struck  19.1 of Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which would have repealed the 1993 amendment to this Code section.   Ga. L. 2006, p. 310,  10/HB 1223, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to affect or abate any right accrued or vested prior to July 1, 2006, or any action or proceeding commenced prior to July 1, 2006, under any law amended or repealed by this Act.   Ga. L. 2006, p. 310,  11/HB 1223, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that those provisions of that Act which authorize community service boards to amend their bylaws and authorize county governing authorities to appoint no sooner than May 1, 2006, any community service board members to take office on July 1, 2006, shall become effective April 21, 2006.   Ga. L. 2010, p. 878,  37(5)/HB 1387, which amended this Code section, purported to amend subparagraph (b)(5)(B), but actually amended subparagraph (c)(5)(B).   Ga. L. 2015, p. 385,  1-1/HB 252, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: This Act shall be known and may be cited as the J. Calvin Hill, Jr., Act.   
  Venue for the purpose of any action against a community service board shall be the county in which the principal office of the community service board is located. For purposes of this Code section, principal office shall be defined as the facility which houses the executive director or other such top administrator for the community service board.   In any legal proceeding, a regional planning board or the regional office shall be considered a unit of the department and shall be afforded the assistance of legal counsel from the Attorney General.     The community service boards shall be public bodies but shall not be considered agencies of the state or any specific county or municipality. Such community service boards are public agencies in their own right and shall have the same immunity as provided for counties. No county shall be liable for any action, error, or omission of a community service board. Notwithstanding any provisions of law to the contrary, and regardless of any provisions of law which grant employees of the community service boards benefits under programs operated by the state or which deem them to be state employees only for purposes of those benefits, employees of the community service boards shall not be employees of the state but shall be employees of the community service boards and, further, the state shall not be liable for any action, error, or omission of such employees.   A community service board may employ or contract for legal counsel to assist in performing its duties and shall be authorized to appoint legal counsel to represent the community service board and its employees. The community service board may exercise any authority granted in Article 2 of Chapter 9 of Title 45, relating to the indemnification, defense, and insuring of members and employees of public bodies.      History. Code 1981,  37-2-11.1 , enacted by Ga. L. 1988, p. 1761,  1; Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  16; Ga. L. 1994, p. 437,  7; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-7; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which amends this Code section, provides, in  19.1, not codified by the General Assembly, that the amendment is repealed on June 30, 1999; however, Ga. L. 1998, p. 870,  1, struck  19.1 of Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which would have repealed the 1993 amendment to this Code section.    Law reviews.    For article, Torts, see 53 Mercer L. Rev. 441 (2001).   For note, Youngblood v. Gwinnett Rockdale Newton Community Service Board: The Sovereign Immunity of State Agencies Under the Georgia Constitution and the Georgia Tort Claims Act, see 53 Mercer L. Rev. 967 (2002).  
  Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, to ensure the quality and integrity of patient and client care, any program receiving any public funds from, or subject to licensing, certification, or facility approval by, the department, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Community Health, or a regional office shall be required to provide the department or the appropriate regional office or both, upon request, complete access to, including but not limited to authorization to examine and reproduce, any records required to be maintained in accordance with contracts, standards, or rules and regulations of the department, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Public Health, or the Department of Community Health or pursuant to the provisions of this title.   Records obtained pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section shall not be considered public records and shall not be released by the department, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Community Health, or any regional office unless otherwise specifically authorized by law.   The community service board shall maintain a clinical record for each consumer receiving treatment or habilitation services from such board. The treatment of clinical records of consumers in receiving services for mental illness shall be governed by the provisions of Code Section 37-3-166. The treatment of clinical records of consumers receiving habilitation services for developmental disabilities shall be governed by the provisions of Code Section 37-4-125. The treatment of clinical records of consumers in treatment for addictive diseases shall be governed by the provisions of Code Section 37-7-166.    History. Code 1981,  37-2-11.2 , enacted by Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  1; Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  16; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-7; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228; Ga. L. 2011, p. 705,  5-24/HB 214.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which amends this Code section, provides, in  19.1, not codified by the General Assembly, that the amendment is repealed on June 30, 1999; however, Ga. L. 1998, p. 870,  1, struck  19.1 of Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which would have repealed the 1993 amendment to this Code section.    Law reviews.    For article on the 2011 amendment of this Code section, see 28 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 147 (2011).  
  It is the goal of the State of Georgia that every citizen be provided an adequate level of disability care through a unified system of disability services. To this end, the department shall, to the maximum extent possible, allocate funds available for services so as to provide an adequate disability services program available to all citizens of this state. In funding and providing disability services, the department and the regional offices shall ensure that all providers, public or private, meet minimum standards of quality and competency as established by the department.   Fees generated, if any, by hospitals, community service boards, and other private and public providers, providing services under contract or purview of the department, shall be reported to the department and applied wherever appropriate against the cost of providing, and increasing the quantity and quality of, disability services; provided, however, that income to a community service board derived from fees may be used to further the purposes of such community service board as found in Code Section 37-3-6.1, subject to appropriations. The department shall be responsible for developing procedures to properly account for the collection, remittance, and reporting of generated fees. The department shall work with the community service boards and other public or private providers to develop an appropriate mechanism for accounting for the funds and resources contributed to local disability services by counties and municipalities within the area. Such contributions are not required to be submitted to either the community service boards or the department; however, appropriate documentation and accounting entries shall make certain that the county or municipality is credited, and if necessary compensated, appropriately for such contribution of funds or resources.   No person shall be denied disability services provided by the state as defined in this chapter based on age, gender, race, ethnic origin, or inability to pay; provided, however, unless otherwise prohibited by law or contract, providers of disability services may deny nonemergency disability services to any person who is able to pay, but who refuses to pay. The department shall develop a state-wide sliding fee scale for the provision of disability services and shall promulgate standards that define emergency disability services and refusal to pay.     History.  Code 1933,  88-612, enacted by Ga. L. 1976, p. 953,  1; Ga. L. 1986, p. 1213,  1; Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  16; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-7; Ga. L. 2006, p. 310,  9/HB 1223; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228.    Code Commission notes.    Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 1993, remittance, was substituted for remittance in the second sentence of subsection (b).    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which amends this Code section, provides, in  19.1, not codified by the General Assembly, that the amendment is repealed on June 30, 1999; however, Ga. L. 1998, p. 870,  1, struck  19.1 of Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which would have repealed the 1993 amendment to this Code section.   Ga. L. 2006, p. 310,  10/HB 1223, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to affect or abate any right accrued or vested prior to July 1, 2006, or any action or proceeding commenced prior to July 1, 2006, under any law amended or repealed by this Act.   Ga. L. 2006, p. 310,  11/HB 1223, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that those provisions of that Act which authorize community service boards to amend their bylaws and authorize county governing authorities to appoint no sooner than May 1, 2006, any community service board members to take office on July 1, 2006, shall become effective April 21, 2006.  
 As used in this chapter, the term:    Community service board means a public mental health, developmental disabilities, and addictive diseases board established pursuant to Code Section 37-2-6.   Community service board area means an area inclusive of the counties which fall within the boundaries of a community service board as designated by the department pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 37-2-3 for the establishment of a community service board.   Community service board service area means a community service board area and any other county or portion thereof in which the community service board provides services.   Council means the Behavioral Health Coordinating Council established pursuant to Code Section 37-2-4.   Governing board means the governing board of a community service board established pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 37-2-6.   Health services means any education or service provided by the department, the Department of Public Health, or the Department of Human Services, either directly or by contract.   Hospital means a state owned or state operated facility providing services which include, but are not limited to, inpatient care and the diagnosis, care, and treatment or habilitation of the disabled. Such hospital may also provide or manage state owned or operated programs in the community.     History.  Code 1933,  88-602, enacted by Ga. L. 1976, p. 953,  1; Ga. L. 1986, p. 1213,  1; Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  16; Ga. L. 1995, p. 1302,  17; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-7, 2-2; Ga. L. 2006, p. 310,  3/HB 1223; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228; Ga. L. 2011, p. 705,  6-3/HB 214; Ga. L. 2014, p. 309,  2/SB 349.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which amends this Code section, provides, in  19.1, not codified by the General Assembly, that the amendment is repealed on June 30, 1999; however, Ga. L. 1998, p. 870,  1, struck  19.1 of Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which would have repealed the 1993 amendment to this Code section.   Ga. L. 2006, p. 310,  10/HB 1223, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to affect or abate any right accrued or vested prior to July 1, 2006, or any action or proceeding commenced prior to July 1, 2006, under any law amended or repealed by this Act.   Ga. L. 2006, p. 310,  11/HB 1223, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that those provisions of that Act which authorize community service boards to amend their bylaws and authorize county governing authorities to appoint no sooner than May 1, 2006, any community service board members to take office on July 1, 2006, shall become effective April 21, 2006.    Law reviews.    For article on the 2011 amendment of this Code section, see 28 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 147 (2011).  
  The board shall designate boundaries for mental health, developmental disabilities, and addictive diseases regions and may modify the boundaries of such regions from time to time as deemed necessary by the board.   The department, with the approval of the commissioner, shall designate community service board areas, which shall serve as boundaries for the establishment of community service boards within this state for the purpose of delivering disability services. The department shall be authorized to initiate the redesignation of such community service board area boundaries and may consider requests from a county or group of counties or a community service board or a group of community service boards for recommended changes to the boundaries of the community service board areas. The department, with the approval of the commissioner, is authorized to redesignate two or more community service board areas as a single community service board area. Two or more community service boards may request that the department, with the approval of the commissioner, merge the community service board areas served by such boards into a single community service board area. If the department, with the approval of the commissioner, authorizes the redesignation or merging of community services board areas pursuant to this paragraph, the assets, equipment, and resources of such community service boards shall become the assets, equipment, and resources of the reconstituted community service board serving the successor single board area. It is the intent of the General Assembly not to limit a community service board to serving only those counties within the boundaries of its community service board area.   To the extent practicable, the boundaries for regional planning boards and offices and community service areas shall not subdivide any county unit. In dividing the state into areas, the board and the department shall take into consideration such factors as geographic boundaries, roads and other means of transportation, population concentrations, city and county lines, other relevant community services, and community economic and social relationships. Consideration shall also be given to the existence of facilities and personnel available in the areas for the delivery of disability services.     History.  Code 1933,  88-604, enacted by Ga. L. 1976, p. 953,  1; Ga. L. 1986, p. 1213,  1; Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  16; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-7; Ga. L. 2006, p. 310,  4/HB 1223; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228; Ga. L. 2011, p. 705,  6-3/HB 214; Ga. L. 2014, p. 309,  3/SB 349.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which amends this Code section, provides, in  19.1, not codified by the General Assembly, that the amendment is repealed on June 30, 1999; however, Ga. L. 1998, p. 870,  1, struck  19.1 of Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which would have repealed the 1993 amendment to this Code section.   Ga. L. 2006, p. 310,  10/HB 1223, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to affect or abate any right accrued or vested prior to July 1, 2006, or any action or proceeding commenced prior to July 1, 2006, under any law amended or repealed by this Act.   Ga. L. 2006, p. 310,  11/HB 1223, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that those provisions of that Act which authorize community service boards to amend their bylaws and authorize county governing authorities to appoint no sooner than May 1, 2006, any community service board members to take office on July 1, 2006, shall become effective April 21, 2006.    Law reviews.    For article on the 2011 amendment of this Code section, see 28 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 147 (2011).  
  The department may create local mental health, developmental disabilities, and addictive diseases offices. The number of these offices may be modified from time to time as deemed necessary by the department.   The department shall create a separate regional mental health, developmental disabilities, and addictive diseases advisory council for each region of the department as established under Code Section 37-2-3. Each regional advisory council may provide recommendations for the coordinated and comprehensive planning for its region in conformity with minimum standards and procedures established by the department.   The powers, functions, obligations, and duties of the regional mental health, mental retardation, and substance abuse boards as they existed on June 30, 2002, are transferred to the department. The department shall succeed to all rights, privileges, entitlements, contracts, leases, agreements, and other transactions of the regional boards which were in effect on June 30, 2002, and none of those rights, privileges, entitlements, contracts, leases, agreements, and other transactions shall be impaired or diminished by reason of such transfer. In all such instances, the department shall be substituted for such regional board and the department shall succeed to the rights and duties under such contracts, leases, agreements, and other transactions.    History. Code 1981,  37-2-4.1 , enacted by Ga. L. 1986, p. 1213,  1; Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  16; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-7; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228; Ga. L. 2015, p. 1361,  2/HB 512.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which amends this Code section, provides, in  19.1, not codified by the General Assembly, that the amendment is repealed on June 30, 1999; however, Ga. L. 1998, p. 870,  1, struck  19.1 of Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which would have repealed the 1993 amendment to this Code section.  
  There is created the Behavioral Health Coordinating Council. The council shall consist of the commissioner of behavioral health and developmental disabilities; the commissioner of early care and learning; the commissioner of community health; the commissioner of public health; the commissioner of human services; the commissioner of juvenile justice; the commissioner of corrections; the commissioner of community supervision; the commissioner of community affairs; the commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia; the Commissioner of Labor; the State School Superintendent; the chairperson of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles; a behavioral health expert employed by the University System of Georgia, designated by the chancellor of the university system; two members, appointed by the Governor; the ombudsman appointed pursuant to Code Section 37-2-32; the Child Advocate for the Protection of Children; an expert on early childhood mental health, appointed by the Governor; an expert on child and adolescent health, appointed by the Governor; a pediatrician, appointed by the Governor; an adult consumer of public behavioral health services, appointed by the Governor; a family member of a consumer of public behavioral health services, appointed by the Governor; a parent of a child receiving public behavioral health services, appointed by the Governor; a member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and a member of the Senate, appointed by the Lieutenant Governor.   The commissioner of behavioral health and developmental disabilities shall be the chairperson of the council. A vice chairperson and a secretary shall be selected by the members of the council from among its members as prescribed in the councils bylaws.   Meetings of the council shall be held quarterly, or more frequently, on the call of the chairperson. Meetings of the council shall be held with no less than five days public notice for regular meetings and with such notice as the bylaws may prescribe for special meetings. Each member shall be given written or electronic notice of all meetings. All meetings of the council shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 14 of Title 50. Minutes or transcripts shall be kept of all meetings of the council and shall include a record of the votes of each member, specifying the yea or nay vote or absence of each member, on all questions and matters coming before the council, and minutes or transcripts of each meeting shall be posted on the state agency website of each council member designee. No member may abstain from a vote other than for reasons constituting disqualification to the satisfaction of a majority of a quorum of the council on a recorded vote. No member of the council shall be represented by a delegate or agent. Any member who misses three duly posted meetings of the council over the course of a calendar year shall be replaced by an appointee of the Governor unless the council chairperson officially excuses each such absence.   Except as otherwise provided in this Code section, a majority of the members of the council then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. No vacancy on the council shall impair the right of the quorum to exercise the powers and perform the duties of the council. The vote of a majority of the members of the council present at the time of the vote, if a quorum is present at such time, shall be the act of the council unless the vote of a greater number is required by law or by the bylaws of the council.   The council shall:   Develop solutions to the systemic barriers or problems to the delivery of behavioral health services by making recommendations in writing and publicly available that implement funding, policy changes, practice changes, and evaluation of specific goals designed to improve delivery of behavioral health services, increase access to behavioral health services, and improve outcome for individuals, including children, adolescents, and adults, served by the various departments;   Focus on specific goals designed to resolve issues for provision of behavioral health services that negatively impact individuals, including children, adolescents, and adults, serviced by the various departments;   Monitor and evaluate the implementation of established goals and recommendations; and   Establish common outcome measures that are to be utilized for and represented in the annual report to the council.       The council shall consult with various entities, including state agencies, councils, and advisory committees and other advisory groups as deemed appropriate by the council.   All state departments, agencies, boards, bureaus, commissions, and authorities are authorized and required to make available to the council access to records or data which are available in electronic format or, if electronic format is unavailable, in whatever format is available. The judicial and legislative branches are authorized to likewise provide such access to the council.     The council shall be attached to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities for administrative purposes only as provided by Code Section 50-4-3.     The council shall submit annual reports no later than October 1 of its recommendations and evaluation of its implementation and any recommendations for funding to the Office of Health Strategy and Coordination, the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Lieutenant Governor.   The recommendations developed by the council and the annual reports of the council shall be presented to the board of each member department for approval or review at least annually at a publicly scheduled meeting.     For purposes of this Code section, the term behavioral health services has the same meaning as disability services as defined in Code Section 37-1-1.     History.  Code 1933,  88-611, enacted by Ga. L. 1976, p. 953,  1; Ga. L. 1982, p. 3,  37; Ga. L. 1986, p. 1213,  1; Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  16; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-7; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228; Ga. L. 2010, p. 286,  6/SB 244; Ga. L. 2011, p. 705,  5-21/HB 214; Ga. L. 2015, p. 422,  5-58/HB 310; Ga. L. 2015, p. 617,  1/HB 288; Ga. L. 2019, p. 148,  2-17/HB 186; Ga. L. 2022, p. 26,  4-9/HB 1013.    The 2019 amendment,  effective July 1, 2019, in paragraph (h)(1), inserted no later than October 1 and substituted its implementation to the Office of Health Strategy and Coordination for their implementation to the Governor and the General Assembly at the end.    The 2022 amendment,  effective July 1, 2022, inserted the commissioner of early care and learning;, the commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia;, a behavioral health expert employed by the University System of Georgia, designated by the chancellor of the university system;, and the Child Advocate for the Protection of Children; an expert on early childhood mental health, appointed by the Governor; an expert on child and adolescent health, appointed by the Governor; a pediatrician, appointed by the Governor; in subsection (a); inserted from among its members in the second sentence in subsection (b); in subsection (c), inserted or electronic in the third sentence, added , and minutes or transcripts of each meeting shall be posted on the state agency website of each council member designee at the end of the fifth sentence, and added the last sentence; in paragraph (e)(1), inserted in writing and publicly available and substituted delivery of behavioral health services, increase access to behavioral health services, and improve outcome for individuals, including children, adolescents, and adults, for services delivery and outcome for individuals; substituted individuals, including children, adolescents, and adults, serviced by the various departments for individuals serviced by at least two departments in paragraph (e)(2), inserted and recommendations in paragraph (e)(3), added that are to be utilized for and represented in the annual report to the council at the end of paragraph (e)(4); substituted shall for may in paragraph (f)(1); inserted and any recommendations for funding and , the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Lieutenant Governor in paragraph (h)(1), and inserted and the annual reports of the council and at a publicly scheduled meeting in paragraph (h)(2).    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which amends this Code section, provides, in  19.1, not codified by the General Assembly, that the amendment is repealed on June 30, 1999; however, Ga. L. 1998, p. 870,  1, struck  19.1 of Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which would have repealed the 1993 amendment to this Code section.   Ga. L. 2015, p. 422,  6-1/HB 310, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective July 1, 2015, and shall apply to sentences entered on or after such date.   Ga. L. 2019, p. 148,  2-1/HB 186, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This part shall be known and may be cited as The Health Act.     Law reviews.    For article on the 2011 amendment of this Code section, see 28 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 147 (2011).   For article on the 2015 amendment of this Code section, see 32 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 231 (2015).   For annual survey of administrative law, see 67 Mercer L. Rev. 1 (2015).  
  State, federal, and other funds appropriated to the department and available for the purpose of funding the planning and delivery of disability services shall be distributed in accordance with this subsection. All funds associated with services to clients residing within a given region shall be managed through the department; the term all funds shall include funding for hospitals, community service boards, private and public contracts, and any contracts relating to service delivery for clients within the given region. The department shall establish a funding amount for regions conditioned upon the amount of funds appropriated. The funding amount shall be determined, in part, based on consumer service needs, service and program history, population based funding needs, infrastructure mandates, program efficiency and effectiveness, geographic distances, and other factors affecting the cost and level of service needs within each region.   The department shall establish guidelines to ensure that regions receive such funding based on client population, past and future service delivery needs and capabilities, and in consideration of special needs populations, such as homeless and transient populations. The department shall ensure that funds are managed based primarily on services to clients and in compliance with all federal, state, and regulatory requirements.   The department, in compliance with the provisions of the General Appropriations Act and other applicable laws, is authorized to move funds to and between community and institutional programs based on need, and the department shall develop appropriate allocation and accounting mechanisms to move funds in a planned and rational manner between hospitals, community service boards, and other providers based on client needs and utilization.    History. Code 1981,  37-2-5.1 , enacted by Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  16; Ga. L. 1994, p. 437,  3; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-7; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228; Ga. L. 2015, p. 1361,  4/HB 512.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which enacts this Code section, provides, in  19.1, not codified by the General Assembly, that this Code section is repealed on June 30, 1999; however, Ga. L. 1998, p. 870,  1, struck  19.1 of Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which would have repealed this Code section.  
 Under the supervision of the department, each local office shall have the following duties and functions:    To receive and administer gifts, moneys, and donations for purposes pertaining to mental health, developmental disability, and addictive disease services;   To encourage the development, in cooperation with the department, of private and public providers of programs and disability services which respond to the needs of consumers and families of consumers within the region;   To serve as the representative of the citizens of the area in regard to disability services;   To receive and consider complaints and grievances submitted by individuals, associations, or agencies involved with the delivery or receipt of disability services and, if deemed appropriate, to seek resolution in coordination with the department, through processes which may include impartial mediation and alternative dispute resolution, of such complaints and grievances with the appropriate hospital, community service board, or other private or public provider of service;   To assure the highest achievable level of public awareness and understanding of both available and needed disability services;   To visit regularly disability services facilities and programs which serve the region in order to assure contracted providers are licensed and accredited by the designated agencies prescribed by the department, and in order to evaluate the effectiveness and appropriateness of the services, as such services relate to the health, safety, and welfare of service recipients, and to provide technical assistance to programs in delivering services; and   To participate with other local offices and planning boards, the department, local, state, or federal government agencies, educational institutions, and public and private organizations in the coordination of planning, research, service development, and evaluation activities:   To work cooperatively with all units of county and local government, including the county boards of health, within the region; and   To establish goals and objectives, not inconsistent with those established by the department, for its region.      History. Code 1981,  37-2-5.2 , enacted by Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  16; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-7; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228; Ga. L. 2010, p. 286,  7/SB 244; Ga. L. 2010, p. 878,  37/HB 1387; Ga. L. 2015, p. 1361,  5/HB 512.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which enacts this Code section, provides, in  19.1, not codified by the General Assembly, that this Code section is repealed on June 30, 1999; however, Ga. L. 1998, p. 870,  1, struck  19.1 of Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which would have repealed this Code section.  
  Each regional advisory council shall engage in disability services planning within its region and may perform other functions as may be provided or authorized by law, such as:   Informing the department of local needs and priorities;   Organizing natural supports;   Recommending community improvements;   Providing input to the department regarding the local perspective of consumers, families, and community stakeholders; and   Encouraging prevention programs.     Membership on the regional advisory council within an established region shall be determined as follows:   Each county with a population of 50,000 or less according to the United States decennial census of 1990 or any future such census shall appoint one member to the council;   Each county with a population of more than 50,000 according to the United States decennial census of 1990 or any future such census shall appoint one member for each population increment of 50,000 or any portion thereof;   The appointment or appointments for each county shall be made by the county governing authority; and   The county governing authority shall appoint a consumer of disability services, a family member of a consumer, an advocate for disability services, or a local leader or business person with an interest in mental health, developmental disabilities, and addictive diseases; provided, however, that for counties with more than one appointment, the county governing authority shall seek to ensure that such appointments represent various groups and disability services.   A member of the community service board which serves that region;   An employee or board member of a private or public entity which contracts with the department, the Department of Human Services, or the Department of Public Health to provide health, mental health, developmental disabilities, or addictive diseases services within the region;   An employee of such local office or employee or board member of any private or public group, organization, or service provider which contracts with or receives funds from such local office; or   An employee or board member of the department, the Department of Human Services, or the Department of Public Health.       (b.1)  A county governing authority may appoint the school superintendent, a member of the county board of health, a member of the local board of education, or any other elected or appointed official to serve on the regional advisory council, provided that such person meets the qualifications of paragraph (4) of subsection (b) of this Code section, such person does not serve on a community service board, and such appointment does not violate the provisions of Chapter 10 of Title 45.    (b.2) (1)  A person shall not be eligible to be appointed to or serve on a regional advisory council if such person is:    In making appointments to the regional advisory council, the various county governing authorities shall consider the cultural and social characteristics, including gender, race, ethnic, and age characteristics, of the regional and county populations. The county governing authorities are further encouraged to ensure that each disability group is viably represented on the regional advisory council, and in so doing the county governing authority may consider suggestions for appointments from clinical professional associations as well as advocacy groups, including but not limited to the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network, People First of Georgia, the Georgia Parent Support Network, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Georgia, the American Association for Retired Persons, Georgians for Children, Mental Health America of Georgia, Georgia ARC Network, and the Georgia Council on Substance Abuse and their local chapters and affiliates.   The initial term of a new member of a regional advisory council shall be determined by the commissioner in order to establish staggered terms on the council. At such time as the terms of the members of the council are equally staggered, the term of a member of the regional advisory council shall be for a period of three years and until the members successor is appointed and qualified. A member may serve no more than two consecutive terms. The term of a regional advisory council member shall terminate upon resignation, death, or inability to serve due to medical infirmity or other incapacity or such other reasonable condition as the regional advisory council may impose under its bylaws. Vacancies on the regional advisory council shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.   Prior to August 1, 2015, each regional advisory council shall adopt bylaws governing its operation and management. At a minimum, the bylaws shall provide for staggered terms of the council, requirements for an annual meeting to elect officers, a mechanism for ensuring that consumers of disability services and family members of consumers constitute a majority of the appointments to the council, and a mechanism for ensuring that each disability service is equitably represented by appointments to the council. Any council member who serves an initial term of less than three years may be eligible to be reappointed for two full consecutive three-year terms. The chairperson and vice chairperson of the regional advisory council shall be elected from among the members of the council to serve a term of one year with the option of reelection for an additional one-year term. The bylaws shall provide for any other officers and their means of selection, as well as any necessary committees or subcommittees of the council. Prior to their adoption by the regional advisory council, the bylaws shall be submitted to the department for review and approval. The regional advisory council must have the written approval of the commissioner prior to the adoption of bylaws.   The regional advisory council shall meet not less than once every four months, beginning on July 1 and continuing through the next June 30, which time frame shall be the fiscal year for each regional advisory council.   Each member of the regional advisory council may, upon approval of the department, receive reimbursement for actual expenses incurred in carrying out the duties of such office in conformance with rates and allowances set for state employees by the Office of Planning and Budget and the same mileage allowance for use of a personal car as that received by all other state officials and employees or a travel allowance of actual transportation cost if traveling by public carrier.   Each regional advisory council which is composed of members who are appointed thereto by the governing authority of only one county shall have a minimum of six members, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b) of this Code section, which members shall in all other respects be appointed as provided in this Code section.     (2)  A person shall not be eligible to be appointed to or serve on a regional advisory council if such persons spouse, parent, child, or sibling is a member of that regional advisory council or a member, employee, or board member specified in paragraph (1) of this subsection. No person who has served a full term or more on a regional advisory council or regional planning board may be appointed to a community service board until a period of at least two years has passed since the time such person served on the regional advisory council or the regional planning board. No person who has served on a regional planning board and who becomes a member of a regional advisory council after June 30, 2015, may be appointed to a community service board until a period of at least two years has passed since the time such person has served on the regional planning board or regional advisory council.    History.  Code 1933,  88-605, 88-606, enacted by Ga. L. 1976, p. 953,  1; Ga. L. 1986, p. 1213,  1; Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  16; Ga. L. 1994, p. 437,  2; Ga. L. 2000, p. 440,  2; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-7; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228; Ga. L. 2011, p. 705,  6-3/HB 214; Ga. L. 2015, p. 1361,  3/HB 512.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which amends this Code section, provides, in  19.1, not codified by the General Assembly, that the amendment is repealed on June 30, 1999; however, Ga. L. 1998, p. 870,  1, struck  19.1 of Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which would have repealed the 1993 amendment to this Code section.    Law reviews.    For article on the 2011 amendment of this Code section, see 28 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 147 (2011).  
    The governing board of each community service board shall employ an executive director to serve as its chief executive officer and shall prescribe the duties thereof. The selection of the executive director and all terms of compensation shall be set by the governing board of each community service board and shall be subject to review and approval by the commissioner prior to any offer of employment or at any point thereafter where the terms of compensation are proposed to be substantially altered. Such contracts shall be reviewed by the commissioner every five years. Further, the commissioner shall be required to review and approve the selection of the executive director of each community service board for adherence to minimum qualifications for the position as prescribed by the department. The executive director shall direct the day-to-day operations of the community service board. Such executive director shall be appointed and removed by the community service board pursuant to this subsection and shall appoint other necessary staff pursuant to an annual budget adopted by the board, which budget shall provide for securing appropriate facilities, sites, and professionals necessary for the provision of disability and health services. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the governing board of the community service board may delegate any power, authority, duty, or function to its executive director or other staff. The executive director or other staff is authorized to exercise any power, authority, duty, or function on behalf of the governing board of the community service board.   The executive director or any full-time or part-time employee of a community service board shall have a responsibility to avoid any conflict of interest in a manner that is consistent with the declarations found in Code Section 45-10-21. Such employees shall not transact any business with that community service board as prohibited in Code Section 45-10-23 unless any such transaction falls under the exceptions granted in Code Section 45-10-25. Transactions that fall under such exceptions shall be disclosed to the governing board of the community service board in the manner as such governing board shall determine and yearly to the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission as prescribed in Code Section 45-10-26. The governing board of the community service board shall promulgate policies and procedures governing executive director and employee conflicts of interest and establish a code of ethics for the executive director and employees of the community service board.     The governing board of each community service board or each community service board, under the jurisdiction of its governing board, shall perform duties, responsibilities, and functions and may exercise power and authority described in this subsection as follows:   The governing board of each community service board shall adopt bylaws for the conduct of its affairs and the affairs of their respective community service boards; provided, however, that the governing board of a community service board shall meet at least quarterly, and that all such meetings and any bylaws shall be open to the public, as otherwise required under Georgia law;   The governing board of each community service board shall be required to review and approve the annual budget of the community service board and shall be required to establish the general policies related to such budget to be followed by the community service board;   Each community service board shall provide an adequate range of disability services as prescribed by the department;   Each community service board may make and enter into all contracts necessary and incidental to the performance of its duties and functions;   Each community service board may acquire by purchase, gift, lease, or otherwise and may own, hold, improve, use, and sell, convey, exchange, transfer, lease, sublease, and dispose of real and personal property of every kind and character, or any interest therein, for its corporate purposes;   Each community service board may contract to utilize the services of the Department of Administrative Services, the state auditor, or any other agency of state, local, or federal government;   Each community service board may provide, either independently or through contract with appropriate state or local governmental entities, the following benefits to its employees, their dependents, and survivors, in addition to any compensation or other benefits provided to such persons:   Retirement, pension, disability, medical, and hospitalization benefits, through the purchase of insurance or otherwise, but medical and hospitalization benefits may only be provided through the Department of Community Health under the same conditions as provided for such benefits to state employees, and the Department of Community Health shall so provide if requested;   Life insurance coverage and coverage under federal old age and survivors insurance programs;   Sick leave, annual leave, and holiday leave; and   Any other similar benefits including, but not limited to, death benefits;     Each community service board may cooperate with all units of local government in the counties where the community service board provides services as well as neighboring regions and with the programs of other departments, agencies, and regional commissions and regional planning boards;   Each community service board shall establish and maintain a personnel program for its employees and fix the compensation and terms of compensation of its employees; provided, however, that each community service board shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 20 of Title 45, for so long as and to the extent that each employee of such board remains subject to the rules and regulations of the State Personnel Board or as otherwise provided by law;   Each community service board may receive and administer grants, gifts, contracts, moneys, and donations for purposes pertaining to the delivery of disability services or of health services;   Each community service board may establish fees for the provision of disability services or health services according to the terms of contracts entered into with the department, Department of Human Services, Department of Public Health, or Department of Community Health, as appropriate; provided, however, that all fees collected shall be used solely in accordance with the statutory nonprofit and public purposes of community service boards as prescribed in this article;   Each community service board may accept appropriations, loans of funds, facilities, equipment, and supplies from local governmental entities in the counties where the community service board provides services;   Each member of the governing board of a community service board may, upon approval of the executive director, receive reimbursement for actual expenses incurred in carrying out the duties of such office; provided, however, that such reimbursement shall not exceed the rates and allowances set for state employees by the Office of Planning and Budget or the mileage allowance for use of a personal car as that received by all other state officials and employees or a travel allowance of actual transportation cost if traveling by public carrier;   The governing board of each community service board shall elect a chairperson and vice chairperson from among its membership. The governing board members shall also elect a secretary and treasurer from among its membership or may designate the executive director of the community service board to serve in one or both offices. Such officers shall serve for such terms as shall be prescribed in the bylaws of the community service board or until their respective successors are elected and qualified. No governing board member shall hold more than one office of the governing board of a community service board; except that the same person may serve as secretary and treasurer. The bylaws of the governing board of a community service board shall provide for any other officers of such board and the means of their selection, the terms of office of the officers, and an annual meeting to elect officers;   Each community service board may have a seal and alter it;   Each community service board may establish fees, rates, rents, and charges for the use of facilities of the community service board for the provision of disability services or of health services, in accordance with the terms of contracts entered into with the department, Department of Human Services, Department of Public Health, or Department of Community Health, as appropriate;   Each community service board may borrow money for any business purpose and may incur debt, liabilities, and obligations for any business purpose. A debt, liability, or obligation incurred by a community service board shall not be considered a debt, liability, or obligation of the state or any county or any municipality or any political subdivision of the state. A community service board may not borrow money as permitted by this Code section if the highest aggregate annual debt service requirements of the then current fiscal year or any subsequent year for outstanding borrowings of the community service board, including the proposed borrowing, exceed 15 percent of the total revenues of the community service board in its fiscal year immediately preceding the fiscal year in which such debt is to be incurred. Interest paid upon such borrowings shall be exempt from taxation by the state or its political subdivisions. A state contract with a community service board shall not be used or accepted as security or collateral for a debt, liability, or obligation of a community service board without the prior written approval of the commissioner;   Each community service board, to the extent authorized by law and the contract for the funds involved, may carry forward without lapse fund balances and establish operating, capital, and debt reserve accounts from revenues and grants derived from state, county, and all other sources; and   Each community service board may operate, establish, or operate and establish facilities deemed by the community service board as necessary and convenient for the administration, operation, or provision of disability services or of health services by the community service board and may construct, reconstruct, improve, alter, repair, and equip such facilities to the extent authorized by state and federal law.     Nothing shall prohibit a community service board from contracting with any county governing authority, private or other public provider, or hospital for the provision of disability services or of health services.   Each community service board exists for nonprofit and public purposes, and it is found and declared that the carrying out of the purposes of each community service board is exclusively for public benefit and its property is public property. Thus, no community service board shall be required to pay any state or local ad valorem, sales, use, or income taxes.   A community service board shall not have the power to tax, the power to issue general obligation bonds or revenue bonds or revenue certificates, or the power to financially obligate the state or any county or any municipal corporation.   A community service board shall not operate any facility for profit. A community service board may fix fees, rents, rates, and charges that are reasonably expected to produce revenues, which, together with all other funds of the community service board, will be sufficient to administer, operate, and provide the following:   Disability services or health services;   The cost of acquiring, constructing, equipping, maintaining, repairing, and operating its facilities; and   The creation and maintenance of reserves sufficient to meet principal and interest payments due on any obligation of the community service board.     Each community service board may provide reasonable reserves for the improvement, replacement, or expansion of its facilities and services. Reserves under this subsection shall be subject to the limitations in paragraph (17) of subsection (b) of this Code section.   Each county and municipal corporation of this state is authorized to convey or lease property of such county or municipal corporation to a community service board for its public purposes. Any property conveyed or leased to a community services board by a county or municipal corporation shall be operated by such community service board in accordance with this chapter and the terms of the community service boards agreements with the county or municipal corporation providing such conveyance or lease.   Each community service board and any entity created or formed by such community service board pursuant to subsection (j) of this Code section shall keep books of account reflecting all funds received, expended, and administered by the community service board in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The community service board and an entity created or formed by such community service board, if any, pursuant to subsection (j) of this Code section shall assure the inclusion in its annual audit any information or procedures required by the department. The community service board and an entity created or formed by such community service board, if any, pursuant to subsection (j) of this Code section shall rotate audit firms at least once every five years. Copies of the annual audit and all findings shall be submitted to the department and the governing board of the community service board, or in the case of an entity created or formed by the community service board, if any, to the governing board of the community service board, the governing board of such entity, and the department within 60 days of completion of the audit.   Subject to the approval of the commissioner and the governing board of the community service board, a community service board may create, form, or become a member of a nonprofit corporation, limited liability company, or other nonprofit entity, the voting membership of which shall be limited to community service boards, governmental entities, nonprofit corporations, or a combination thereof, if such entity is created for purposes that are within the powers of the community service board, for the cooperative functioning of its members, or a combination thereof; provided, however, that no funds provided pursuant to a contract between the department and the community service board may be used in the formation or operation of the nonprofit corporation, limited liability company, or other nonprofit entity. No community service board, whether or not it exercises the power authorized by this subsection, shall be relieved of compliance with Chapter 14 of Title 50, relating to open and public meetings, and Article 4 of Chapter 18 of Title 50, relating to inspection of public records, unless otherwise provided by law. The provisions of this subsection relating to the approval of the commissioner to the contrary notwithstanding, nothing in this subsection shall prohibit a community service board from creating, forming, or becoming a member of a national, regional, or state trade association or business league as defined for tax exempt purposes by the United States Internal Revenue Service for the benefit of member community service boards and similar organizations.   No community service board shall employ or retain in employment, either directly or indirectly through contract, any person who is receiving a retirement benefit from the Employees Retirement System of Georgia except in accordance with the provisions of Code Section 47-2-112; provided, however, that any such person who is employed as of July 1, 2004, may continue to be employed.   A community service board may join or form and operate, either directly or indirectly, one or more networks of community service boards, disability or health service professionals, and other providers of disability services or health services to arrange for the provision of disability services or health services through such networks; to contract either directly or through such networks with the Department of Community Health to provide services to Medicaid beneficiaries; to provide disability services or health services in an efficient and cost-effective manner on a prepaid, capitation, or other reimbursement basis; and to undertake other disability or health services related managed care activities. For purposes of this subsection only and notwithstanding Code Section 33-3-3 or any other provision of law, a community service board shall be permitted to and shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 20A of Title 33 to the extent that such requirements apply to the activities undertaken by the community service board or by a community service board under this subsection or subsection (j) of this Code section. No community service board, whether or not it exercises the powers authorized by this subsection, shall be relieved of compliance with Article 4 of Chapter 18 of Title 50, relating to inspection of public records, unless otherwise provided by law. Any licensed health care provider shall be eligible to apply to become a participating provider under such a plan or network that provides coverage for health care, disability services, or health services which are within the lawful scope of the providers license, but nothing in this Code section shall be construed to require any such plan or network to provide coverage for any specific health care, disability service, or health service.    History. Code 1981,  37-2-6.1 , enacted by Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  16; Ga. L. 1994, p. 437,  5; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-7, 2-4, 2-5; Ga. L. 2004, p. 150,  1; Ga. L. 2006, p. 310,  6/HB 1223; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228; Ga. L. 2009, p. 745,  2/SB 97; Ga. L. 2010, p. 878,  37/HB 1387; Ga. L. 2011, p. 705,  5-23/HB 214; Ga. L. 2012, p. 446,  2-58/HB 642; Ga. L. 2014, p. 309,  5/SB 349; Ga. L. 2015, p. 5,  37/HB 90; Ga. L. 2015, p. 385,  7-1/HB 252; Ga. L. 2016, p. 864,  37/HB 737; Ga. L. 2020, p. 474,  1/SB 176.    The 2020 amendment,  effective January 1, 2021, substituted Code Section 47-2-112 for subsection (c) of Code Section 47-2-110 in the middle of subsection (k).    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which enacts this Code section, provides, in  19.1, not codified by the General Assembly, that this Code section is repealed on June 30, 1999; however, Ga. L. 1998, p. 870,  1, struck  19.1 of Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which would have repealed this Code section.   Ga. L. 2006, p. 310,  10/HB 1223, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to affect or abate any right accrued or vested prior to July 1, 2006, or any action or proceeding commenced prior to July 1, 2006, under any law amended or repealed by this Act.   Ga. L. 2006, p. 310,  11/HB 1223, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that those provisions of that Act which authorize community service boards to amend their bylaws and authorize county governing authorities to appoint no sooner than May 1, 2006, any community service board members to take office on July 1, 2006, shall become effective April 21, 2006.   Ga. L. 2012, p. 446,  3-1/HB 642, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: Personnel, equipment, and facilities that were assigned to the State Personnel Administration as of June 30, 2012, shall be transferred to the Department of Administrative Services on the effective date of this Act. This Act became effective July 1, 2012.   Ga. L. 2012, p. 446,  3-2/HB 642, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: Appropriations for functions which are transferred by this Act may be transferred as provided in Code Section 45-12-90.   Ga. L. 2015, p. 5,  54(e)/HB 90, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: In the event of a conflict between a provision in Sections 1 through 53 of this Act and a provision of another Act enacted at the 2015 regular session of the General Assembly, the provision of such other Act shall control over the conflicting provision in Sections 1 through 53 of this Act to the extent of the conflict. Accordingly, the amendment to this Code section by Ga. L. 2015, p. 5,  37/HB 90, was not given effect.   Ga. L. 2015, p. 385,  1-1/HB 252, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: This Act shall be known and may be cited as the J. Calvin Hill, Jr., Act.    Law reviews.    For article on the 2011 amendment of this Code section, see 28 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 147 (2011).  
    Those employees whose job descriptions, duties, or functions as of June 30, 1994, included the performance of employment duties or functions which will become employment duties or functions of the personnel of a community service board on July 1, 1994, shall become employees of the applicable community service boards on and after July 1, 1994. Such employees shall be subject to the employment practices and policies of the applicable community service board on and after July 1, 1994. Employees who are subject to the rules of the State Personnel Board and who are transferred to a community service board shall retain all existing rights under such rules. Retirement rights of such transferred employees existing under the Employees Retirement System of Georgia or other public retirement systems on June 30, 1994, shall not be impaired or interrupted by the transfer of such employees and membership in any such retirement system shall continue in the same status possessed by the transferred employees on June 30, 1994, without any interruption in membership service and without the loss of any creditable service. For purposes of coverage under the Employees Retirement System of Georgia, such employees transferred to the community service boards on July 1, 1994, shall be deemed to be state employees. Accrued annual and sick leave possessed by said employees on June 30, 1994, shall be retained by said employees as employees of the community service board. Any person who is granted employment rights and benefits as a member of a community service board pursuant to this subsection and who later becomes employed, without any break in service, by the department, Department of Human Services, or Department of Public Health, a hospital thereof, another community service board, a county board of health for which such person provides services pursuant to this title, or a regional board shall retain, in that later employment position, all such rights and benefits. Such rights and benefits shall also be retained by any person who is employed on June 30, 1994, by the former Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Addictive Diseases (now known as the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities) of the former Department of Human Resources, a hospital thereof, a county board of health for which such person provides services pursuant to this title, or a regional board and who later becomes employed, without any break in service, by a community service board.   Classified employees of a community service board under this chapter shall in all instances be employed and dismissed in accordance with rules and regulations of the State Personnel Board.   All rights, credits, and funds in the Employees Retirement System of Georgia which are possessed by personnel transferred by provisions of this Code section to the community service boards are continued and preserved, it being the intention of the General Assembly that such persons shall not lose any rights, credits, or funds to which they may be entitled prior to becoming employees of the community service boards.     As to those persons employed by the former Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Addictive Diseases (now known as the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities) of the former Department of Human Resources, a hospital thereof, or a regional board on June 30, 1994, any termination from state employment after that date of any such person who is a member of the classified service shall not result from the anticipated or actual employment or utilization by:   The department;   A regional board;   A community service board;   A hospital;   The Department of Human Services;   The Department of Public Health; or   Any private provider of disability services or health services of any person who is not an employee of the state or a political subdivision thereof to perform the duties and functions of such terminated state personnel unless such termination and utilization is the result of a reduction in appropriations for such duties or functions or is the result of a reduction in force caused by any other state department or agency which has ceased to contract with the department, the Department of Human Services, or the Department of Public Health for the services which had been provided by the terminated state personnel.      History. Code 1981,  37-2-6.2 , enacted by Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  16; Ga. L. 1994, p. 437,  6; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-7; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228; Ga. L. 2009, p. 745,  2/SB 97; Ga. L. 2011, p. 705,  6-3/HB 214; Ga. L. 2012, p. 446,  2-59/HB 642.    Code Commission notes.    Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 1994, boards was substituted for boards, at the first instance of that term in paragraph (a)(3).    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which enacts this Code section, provides, in  19.1, not codified by the General Assembly, that this Code section is repealed on June 30, 1999; however, Ga. L. 1998, p. 870,  1, struck  19.1 of Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which would have repealed this Code section.   Ga. L. 2012, p. 446,  3-1/HB 642, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: Personnel, equipment, and facilities that were assigned to the State Personnel Administration as of June 30, 2012, shall be transferred to the Department of Administrative Services on the effective date of this Act. This Act became effective July 1, 2012.   Ga. L. 2012, p. 446,  3-2/HB 642, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: Appropriations for functions which are transferred by this Act may be transferred as provided in Code Section 45-12-90.    Law reviews.    For article on the 2011 amendment of this Code section, see 28 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 147 (2011).  
  A community service board is a public body as provided in paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of Code Section 37-2-11.1.   A community service board has the power to bring an action in its own name and, to the extent otherwise authorized by law and to the extent not immune from suit, may be sued in its own name. The state and the counties in which the community service board operates shall not be considered a party to or liable under any such litigation.   The governing board of a community service board as well as the community service board itself shall be prohibited from bringing any action against the state.   Debts, obligations, and liabilities of a community service board are not debts, obligations, or liabilities of the state or of the counties in which such board operates. A community service board is prohibited from entering into debts, obligations, or liabilities which are also debts, obligations, or liabilities of the state or of any county.    History. Code 1981,  37-2-6.3 , enacted by Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  2-6; Ga. L. 2009, p. 8,  37/SB 46; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228; Ga. L. 2014, p. 309,  6/SB 349.  
  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, a community service board may reconstitute or convert its organizational structure in the following ways:   With the approval of the governing board of the community service board and the approval of the county governing authorities of the counties served by the community service board, the community service board may convert to a private nonprofit corporation. So long as the reconstituted organization continues to serve a public purpose as defined by the department, the Department of Human Services, or the Department of Public Health, as appropriate, such organization shall be authorized to retain the use of assets, equipment, and resources purchased with state and federal funds by the former community service board. In the event the new private nonprofit fails to serve such public purpose, those assets, equipment, and resources purchased by the former community service board with state and federal funds shall be returned to the department, the Department of Human Services, or the Department of Public Health, as appropriate, or to an agency designated by such department. For a period of three years following the community service boards conversion to a private nonprofit corporation, the private nonprofit corporation shall ensure that consumers of disability services or health services, as appropriate, and family members of such consumers constitute a majority of the appointed board members and that the various disability groups and health services groups are equitably represented on the board of the nonprofit corporation;   With the approval of the governing board of the community service board and the approval of all of the county governing authorities of the counties served by the community service board, the community service board may convert to a unit of county government. All assets, equipment, and resources of the community service board shall be transferred to the new unit of county government; or   With the approval of the governing board of the community service board and the approval of all of the county governing authorities of the counties served by the community service board, the community service board may become a component part of a hospital authority in those counties served by the community service board. So long as the hospital authority continues to serve a public purpose as defined by the department, the Department of Human Services, or the Department of Public Health, as appropriate, the hospital authority shall be authorized to retain possession of those assets, equipment, and resources purchased by the community service board with state and federal funds. In the event the hospital authority fails to serve such public purpose, those assets, equipment, and resources purchased by the community service board with state and federal funds shall be returned to the department, the Department of Human Services, or the Department of Public Health, as appropriate, or to an agency designated by such appropriate department or departments.     In the event that all county governing authorities of a community service area designated pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 37-2-3 concur that a community service board reconstituted pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section has failed to provide disability services or health services as required, those county governing authorities may request that the department coordinate the formation of a new community service board pursuant to Code Section 37-2-6. Upon notification of the request, the department shall assist the county governing authorities in making appointments to the new community service board and establishing bylaws pursuant to Code Section 37-2-6. The department shall make a determination about the disposition of all assets, equipment, and resources purchased with state or federal funding in the possession of the predecessor agency. To the extent that the community service board was providing disability services or health services through the Department of Human Services or the Department of Public Health, such department or departments shall provide to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities all documents, data, information, and consultation necessary or helpful to the formation of the new community service board and the determination and disposition of assets, equipment, and resources of the community service board.    History. Code 1981,  37-2-6.4 , enacted by Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  2-6; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228; Ga. L. 2011, p. 705,  6-3/HB 214.    Law reviews.    For article on the 2011 amendment of this Code section, see 28 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 147 (2011).  
  By joint action of the membership of a community service board created pursuant to Code Section 37-2-6 and the governing authority of each county within the community service board area, such community service board may cease operations; provided, however, that such community service board shall notify the commissioner at least 90 days in advance of the meeting of the community service board in which such action is to be taken. Such joint action shall indicate the date on which the community service board shall cease operations.   Upon receipt of notification that a community service board intends to cease operations, the commissioner shall notify the chairperson and executive director of such community service board and the governing authority of each county within the community service board area of such board that:   The department, after securing the approval of the Governor, intends to appoint a manager or management team to manage and operate the programs and services of the community service board in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of Code Section 37-2-10 until the department shall determine:   That such community service board should continue in operation, provided one or more members appointed to such board in accordance with subsection (b) of Code Section 37-2-6 shall be removed in accordance with subparagraph (c)(3)(H) of Code Section 37-2-10, and the department, acting on behalf of the membership of the community service board, nominates a successor to a removed member and advises the county governing authority that appointed such removed member to appoint a successor;   That all of the members of such community service board appointed in accordance with subsection (b) of Code Section 37-2-6 shall be removed and such community service board shall be reconstituted; and that the department shall assist the county governing authorities in making appointments to the new community service board; or   In the case where the membership of such community service board is the membership of a county board of health designated in accordance with Code Section 31-3-12.1 or subsection (e) of Code Section 37-2-6, that the entire membership of the community service board should be removed and the membership of the community service board be reconstituted in accordance with subsection (b) of Code Section 37-2-6;     The department, with the approval of the commissioner, intends to redesignate the boundaries of the community service board area served by such board pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection (b) of Code Section 37-2-3 by expanding the boundaries of a community service board area served by another community service board to include the counties in the community service board area served by the community service board that intends to cease operations so that the community service board serving such area may assume responsibility for the provision of disability services within such counties;   The department intends to request pursuant to Code Section 31-3-12.1 that the governing authority of a county within the community service board area of such board authorize the membership of the board of health of such county to serve as the membership of such community service board; or   The department, after securing the approval of the Governor, intends to appoint a manager or management team to manage and operate the programs and services of the community service board until such time as arrangements can be made to secure one or more alternate service providers to assume responsibility for the provision of services previously provided by the community service board.     If a community service board ceases operation and is succeeded by another community service board pursuant to paragraph (2), a county board of health pursuant to paragraph (3), or a manager or management team pursuant to paragraph (4) of subsection (b) of this Code section, the department shall make a determination about the disposition of all assets, equipment, and resources purchased with state or federal funding in the possession of the predecessor community service board.   If a community service board ceases operation and one or more alternate service providers assume responsibility for the provision of services previously provided by the community service board pursuant to paragraph (4) of subsection (b) of this Code section, the department shall petition the superior court of the county in which the principal office of that community service board was located for appointment of a receiver of the assets of the community service board for the protection of the boards creditors and the public. The receiver shall be authorized to marshal and sell or transfer assets of the board, and, after payment of the costs, expenses, and approved fees of the proceeding, to pay the liabilities of the community service board. The court shall then decree that the board be dissolved. Upon completion of the liquidation, any surplus remaining after paying all costs of the liquidation shall be distributed, as determined by the court, to the agencies, entities, or providers providing disability services in the community service board area formerly served by the community service board which ceased operations. At no time shall any community service board upon ceasing operations convey any of its property, except as may be otherwise authorized by a superior court in this subsection, to any private person, association, or corporation.    History. Code 1981,  37-2-6.5 , enacted by Ga. L. 2006, p. 310,  7/HB 1223; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228; Ga. L. 2010, p. 878,  37/HB 1387; Ga. L. 2014, p. 309,  7/SB 349.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 2006, p. 310,  10/HB 1223, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to affect or abate any right accrued or vested prior to July 1, 2006, or any action or proceeding commenced prior to July 1, 2006, under any law amended or repealed by this Act.   Ga. L. 2006, p. 310,  11/HB 1223, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that those provisions of that Act which authorize community service boards to amend their bylaws and authorize county governing authorities to appoint no sooner than May 1, 2006, any community service board members to take office on July 1, 2006, shall become effective April 21, 2006.  
  Community service boards in existence on June 30, 2014, are re-created effective July 1, 2014, to provide mental health, developmental disabilities, and addictive diseases services to children and adults. Such community service boards may enroll and contract with the department, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Public Health, or the Department of Community Health to become a provider of mental health, developmental disabilities, and addictive diseases services or health, recovery, housing, or other supportive services for children and adults. Such boards shall be considered public agencies. Each community service board shall be a public corporation and an instrumentality of the state; provided, however, that the liabilities, debts, and obligations of a community service board shall not constitute liabilities, debts, or obligations of the state or any county or municipal corporation and neither the state nor any county or municipal corporation shall be liable for any liability, debt, or obligation of a community service board. Each community service board re-created pursuant to this Code section is created for nonprofit and public purposes to exercise essential governmental functions. The re-creation of community service boards pursuant to this Code section shall not alter the provisions of Code Section 37-2-6.2 which shall apply to those re-created community service boards and their employees covered by that Code section and those employees rights are retained.   The governing board of each community service board shall consist of members appointed by the governing authorities of the counties within the community service board area. Membership on such governing board shall be determined as follows:     The governing authority of each county within the community service board area:   With a population of 50,000 or less according to the most recent United States decennial census shall appoint one member to such governing board; and   With a population of more than 50,000 according to the most recent United States decennial census shall appoint one member for each population increment of 50,000 or any portion thereof; or     In the event that the number of governing board member positions established in accordance with subparagraph (A) of this paragraph would exceed nine, the membership of such governing board pursuant to this subsection shall be appointed as follows and the bylaws shall be amended accordingly:   For community service boards whose community service board area contains nine or fewer counties, the membership of the board shall be set at nine members and appointments to the board shall be made by the governing authority of each county within the community service board area in descending order from the county with the largest population to the county with the smallest population according to the most recent United States decennial census and this method shall be repeated until all nine members of the governing board of the community service board are appointed. If a county governing authority fails to make an appointment within a reasonable time, the next descending county by population shall make an appointment and the method shall continue; and   For community service boards whose community service board area contains more than nine counties, one member of the governing board of the community service board shall be appointed by the governing authority of each county within the community service board area, so that the number of members on the governing board is equal to the number of counties in the community service board area.  The county governing authority shall appoint as at least one of its appointments a consumer of disability services; a psychiatrist, a psychologist, or other behavioral health or development disabilities professional; a law enforcement officer; a family member of a consumer; an advocate for disability services; a parent of a child with mental illness or addictive disease; or a local leader or businessperson with an interest in mental health, developmental disabilities, and addictive diseases; provided, however, that for counties with more than one appointment, the county governing authority shall seek to ensure that such appointments represent various groups and disability services;        In addition to the members appointed pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, the governing board of each community service board may appoint one additional member in order to address variation in the population sizes of counties or the financial contributions of counties within the community service board area. The bylaws of the community service board shall address the establishment of the additional governing board membership position, if established, and the purpose or purposes for which such position is created. The term of office of such additional member shall be the same as that of other members of the governing board of the community service board as provided in subsection (h) of this Code section;   In addition to the members appointed pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection, each governing board of a community service board shall have additional members who shall serve on such governing board while concurrently holding elective or appointive office and who shall be appointed by a county governing authority as follows:   The number of elected or appointed officials serving on the governing board of a community service board shall be equal to one-third, defined herein as 33 percent or 0.33, of the number of the members of such board appointed in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection. In the event the calculation of such percentage yields a whole number and a fraction of a whole number, then the number of members to be appointed shall be equal to the nearest whole number; however, a fraction equal to 50 percent or greater shall be rounded to the next highest whole number;   The governing authority of each county in the community service board area making the largest cash or in-kind financial contribution in descending order to the community service board in the county fiscal year immediately prior to the time of such appointment shall make one appointment of an elected or appointed official to the community service board until the number of such appointments required by this paragraph is reached. For community service boards whose community service board areas contains fewer counties than the number of appointments made pursuant to this paragraph, the membership appointments of elected or appointed officials to the governing board shall be made in the descending order prescribed in this paragraph and this method shall be repeated until all members who hold elective or appointive office are appointed to the governing board of the community service board. In the event that the number of such county governing authorities making a cash or in-kind financial contribution to the community service board does not result in the number of appointments required by this paragraph, the remaining appointment or appointments shall be made by the governing authority or authorities of the county or counties in the community service board area with the largest population in descending order according to the most recent United States decennial census until the number of appointments required by this paragraph is reached. For community service boards whose community service board area contains three or fewer counties, the membership appointments of elected or appointed officials to the governing board shall be made in the descending order prescribed in this paragraph and this method shall be repeated until all members who hold elective or appointive office are appointed to the governing board of the community service board. In the event there is no county in the community service board area where the governing authority made a cash or in-kind financial contribution to the community service board in the county fiscal year immediately prior to the time of such appointment, the appointments required by this paragraph shall be made by the governing authority or authorities of the county or counties in the community service board area with the largest population in descending order according to the most recent United States decennial census until the number of appointments required by this paragraph is reached;   As used in this paragraph, the term elective or appointive office or elected or appointed official means:   The elected chief executive officer, by whatever name called, of the county governing authority making the appointment to the governing board of the community service board;   An elected member of such county governing authority;   The county manager of such county governing authority where such position exists as defined in Code Section 36-5-22;   The sheriff of such county;   The elected chief executive officer, by whatever named called, an elected member of the governing authority, or an appointed city manager of any municipality lying wholly or partially within such county;   A member of the board of education of such county or a member of the governing board of any municipal school system lying wholly or partially within such county;   The school superintendent of such county or the superintendent of any municipal school system lying wholly or partially within such county;   The appointed public safety commissioner, police chief, or fire chief of such county or any municipality lying wholly or partially within such county; or   Any other elected official from within such county;     No member of the governing board of the community service board appointed pursuant to this paragraph shall continue to serve on the governing board if such member no longer holds the elective or appointive office which made him or her eligible for appointment to such board. The term of office of an elected official appointed to serve as a member of the governing board of a community service board shall be the same as such officials elective term of office. The term of office of an appointed official appointed to serve as a member of such governing board shall be the same as that of other members of such governing board; and   As used in this paragraph, the term in-kind financial contribution means the most current dollar value of any physical facilities or buildings and equipment, including vehicles, of all kinds provided at no cost by the county governing authority for use by the community service board.     Each community service board in existence on June 30, 2014, shall reconstitute the membership of its governing board in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, effective July 1, 2014.  A community service board which increases or reduces the number of its members of its governing board in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection shall revise its bylaws adopted in accordance with subsection (h) of this Code section to reflect such increases or reductions. A community service board which reduces the number of members of its governing board shall designate which position or positions are to be eliminated and shall make reasonable efforts to eliminate any position or positions of governing board members whose terms expire on or before June 30, 2014; provided, however, that members serving on the governing board of a community service board whose terms do not expire on or before June 30, 2014, shall continue to serve out the terms of office to which they were appointed, regardless of whether this causes a governing board to temporarily exceed the maximum number of members. Any additional positions created in conformity with such paragraphs (2) and (3) may be filled on July 1, 2014, and the governing authority of a county that is otherwise authorized to appoint such additional member or members to the governing board of a community service board may do so no sooner than May 1, 2014, but any person so appointed shall not take office until July 1, 2014. If a position on such governing board of the community service board is not filled on July 1, 2014, a vacancy in that position shall be deemed to have occurred on that date. A governing board of the community service board is authorized to make whatever changes necessary in the terms of office of its members in order to achieve the staggering of terms required by subsection (h) of this Code section;      A person shall not be eligible to be appointed to or serve on a governing board of a community service board if such person is:   A member of the regional planning board which serves the region in which that community service board is located;   An employee or board member of a public or private entity which contracts with the department to provide mental health, developmental disabilities, and addictive diseases services within the community service board area served by that community service board;   An employee of that community service board or employee or board member of any private or public group, organization, or service provider which contracts with or receives funds from that community service board; or   A former employee of that community service board until a period of at least two years has passed since the time such person was employed by that community service board.     A person shall not be eligible to be appointed to or serve on a governing board of a community service board if such persons spouse, parent, child, or sibling is a member of that governing board or a member, employee, or board member specified in this paragraph. With respect to appointments by the same county governing authority, no person who has served a full term or more on a governing board of a community service board may be appointed to a regional planning board until a period of at least two years has passed since the time such person served on the governing board of a community service board, and no person who has served a full term or more on a regional planning board may be appointed to the governing board of a community service board until a period of at least two years has passed since the time such person has served on the regional planning board; and     A governing board of a community service board created in accordance with this subsection shall reconstitute its governing board membership in conformity with the most recent United States decennial census in accordance with subparagraph (d)(2)(C) of Code Section 1-3-1.     (b.1)  A county governing authority may appoint a member of the county board of health to serve on the governing board of the community service board provided that such person meets the qualifications of paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (b) of this Code section and such appointment does not violate the provisions of Chapter 10 of Title 45. For terms of office which begin July 1, 1994, or later, an employee of the Department of Human Resources (now known as the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities for these purposes) or an employee of a county board of health shall not serve on a governing board of a community service board. For terms of office which begin July 1, 2009, or later, an employee of the department, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Public Health, or the Department of Community Health or a board member of the respective boards of each department shall not serve on a governing board of a community service board.    In making appointments to the governing board of a community service board, the county governing authorities shall ensure that such appointments are reflective of the cultural and social characteristics, including gender, race, ethnic, and age characteristics, of the community service board area and county populations. The county governing authorities are further encouraged to ensure that each disability group is represented on the governing board of the community service board, and in making such appointments the county governing authorities may consider suggestions from clinical professional associations as well as advocacy groups. For the purposes of this subsection, the term advocacy groups means any organizations or associations that advocate for, promote, or have an interest in disability services and are exempted as a charitable organization from federal income tax pursuant to Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code; provided, however, that advocacy groups shall not mean paid providers of disability services or health services.   (c.1)  A county governing authority in making appointments to the governing board of a community service board shall take into consideration that at least one member of the governing board of a community service board is an individual who is trained or certified in finance or accounting; provided, however, that if after a reasonable effort at recruitment there is no person trained or certified in finance or accounting within the community service board area who is willing and able to serve, the county governing authority may consider for appointment any other person having a familiarity with financial or accounting practices.    Each county in which the governing authority of the county is authorized to appoint members to the governing board of the community service board shall participate with the board in the operation of the program through the community service board. All contractual obligations, including but not limited to real estate leases, rentals, and other property agreements, other duties, rights, and benefits of the mental health, developmental disabilities, and addictive diseases service areas in existence on June 30, 2014, shall continue to exist along with the new powers granted to the community service boards effective July 1, 2014.   Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a community service board may be constituted in a method other than that outlined in subsection (b) of this Code section if:   A board of health of a county desiring to be the lead county board of health for that county submits a written agreement to the former Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Addictive Diseases (now known as the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities) of the former Department of Human Resources before July 1, 1993, to serve as the community service board and to continue providing disability services in that county after July 1, 1994, and the governing authority for that county adopted a resolution stating its desire to continue the provision of disability services through its board of health after July 1, 1994, and submitted a copy of such resolution to the former division before July 1, 1993; or     The lead county board of health for a community mental health, mental retardation, and substance abuse service area, as designated by the former Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Addictive Diseases (now known as the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities) of the former Department of Human Resources on July 15, 1993, but which area excludes any county which meets the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection, submitted a written agreement to the former division and to all counties within such service area to serve as the community service board for that area and to continue providing disability services after July 1, 1994, which agreement was submitted between July 31, 1993, and December 31, 1993; and   Each county governing authority which is within the service area of a lead county board of health which has submitted an agreement pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this paragraph adopted a resolution stating its desire to continue the provision of disability services through such lead county board of health after July 1, 1994, and submitted a copy of that resolution to the former division, the regional board, and the lead county board of health between July 31, 1993, and December 31, 1993; and     The lead county board of health qualifying as such under paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection agrees in writing to appoint a director for mental health, mental retardation, and substance abuse other than the director of the county board of health as stipulated in Code Section 31-3-12.1, to appoint an advisory council on mental health, mental retardation, and substance abuse consisting of consumers, families of consumers, and representatives from each of the counties within the boundaries of the community service board, and to comply with all other provisions relating to the delivery of disability services pursuant to this chapter.     If the conditions enumerated in subsection (e) of this Code section are not met prior to or on December 31, 1993, a community service board as provided in subsection (b) shall be established and appointed by January 31, 1994, to govern the provision of disability services within the boundaries of the community service board. Such community service board shall have the authority to adopt bylaws and undertake organizational and contractual activities after January 31, 1994; provided, however, that the community service board established pursuant to this Code section may not begin providing services to clients until July 1, 1994.   If a community service board is established pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection (e) of this Code section, such community service board must operate as established at least until June 30, 1996; provided, however, that in each fiscal year following June 30, 1996, the counties included under the jurisdiction of such a community service board may vote to reconstitute the community service board pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b) of this Code section by passage of a resolution by a majority of the county governing authorities within the jurisdiction of the community service board prior to January 1, 1997, or each year thereafter.   The governing board of each community service board shall adopt bylaws and operational policies and guidelines in conformity with the provisions of this chapter. Those bylaws shall address governing board appointment procedures, initial terms of governing board members, the staggering of terms, quorum, a mechanism for ensuring that consumers of disability services and family members of consumers constitute no less than 50 percent of the governing board members appointed pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b) of this Code section, and a mechanism for ensuring equitable representation of the various disability groups. A quorum for the transaction of any business and for the exercise of any power or function of the governing board of the community service board shall consist of a majority of the total number of filled governing board member positions appointed pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section. A vote of the majority of such quorum shall be the act of the governing board of the community service board except where the bylaws of the community service board may require a greater vote. The regular term of office for each member of the governing board of a community service board shall be three years. Vacancies on such governing board shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. For purposes of this subsection, equitable representation of the various disability groups means that consumers and family members of such consumers who constitute no less than 50 percent of the governing board members holding membership pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b) of this Code section shall be appointed so as to assure that an equal number of such members to the fullest extent possible represents mental health, developmental disabilities, and addictive diseases interests.   The governing board of each community service board which is composed of members who are appointed thereto by the governing authority of only one county shall have a minimum of seven and no more than nine members, not including any additional members appointed pursuant to paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (b) of this Code section, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b) of this Code section, which members in all other respects shall be appointed as provided in this Code section.   No governing board member, officer, or employee of a community service board who has authority to take, direct others to take, recommend, or approve any personnel action shall take or threaten action against any employee of a community service board as a reprisal for making a complaint or disclosing information concerning the possible existence of any activity constituting fraud, waste, or abuse in or relating to the programs, operations, or client services of the community service board, to the governing board of the community service board, to a member of the General Assembly, or to the department unless the complaint was made or the information was disclosed with the knowledge that it was false or with willful disregard for its truth or falsity. Any action taken in violation of this subsection shall give the public employee a right to have such action set aside in a proceeding instituted in the superior court.   A member of a governing board of a community service board who after notice that such member has failed to complete any required training prescribed by the department pursuant to paragraph (6) of Code Section 37-1-20 continues such failure for 30 days may be removed from office by the remaining members of the governing board of the community service board.   A member of a governing board of a community service board may resign from office by giving written notice to the executive director of the community service board. The resignation is irrevocable after delivery to such executive director but shall become effective upon the date on which the notice is received or on the effective date given by the member in the notice, whichever date is later. The executive director, upon receipt of the resignation, shall give notice of the resignation to the remaining members of the governing board of the community service board and to the chief executive officer or governing authority of the county that appointed the member.   The office of a member of a governing board of a community service board shall be vacated upon such members resignation, death, or inability to serve due to medical infirmity or other incapacity, removal by the community service board as authorized in this Code section, or upon such other reasonable condition as the community service board may impose under its bylaws.   Each member of the governing board of a community service board shall comply with the code of ethics for members of boards, commissions, and authorities as set forth in Code Section 45-10-3. A governing board member who fails to comply with such code may be subject to removal from office by the remaining members of the governing board of the community service board or by the commissioner as authorized in Code Section 37-2-10. The governing board of the community service board shall revise the bylaws of the community service board adopted in accordance with subsection (h) of this Code section to reflect the requirements of this subsection.   A member of the governing board of a community service board shall have a fiduciary responsibility to avoid any conflict of interest in a manner that is consistent with the declarations found in Code Section 45-10-2. When such governing board is to decide an issue about which a member has an unavoidable conflict of interest, such member shall absent herself or himself from not only the vote, but also from any deliberation on such issue. Members of the governing board of a community service board shall not use their positions to obtain employment with or contracts from the community service board, its funding sources, or its suppliers of goods and services for themselves, family members, or close associates. Should such member desire such employment, such member shall first resign. No person who has served as a member of the governing board of a community service board may be employed by that community service board, either directly or by contract, until a period of at least two years has passed since the time such person served as a member of the governing board of that community service board. A governing board member or a member of the governing board members family may obtain disability or health services from the community service board in the ordinary course of the community service boards provision of such disability or health services on the same terms and under the same conditions applicable to any member of the public. An individual governing board member shall not exercise individual authority over the community service boards operations, affairs, property, or personnel, except when such members action is explicitly permitted by action of the governing board of the community service board by policy or by resolution. The governing board of the community service board shall revise the bylaws of the community service board adopted in accordance with subsection (h) of this Code section to reflect the requirements of this subsection.   A member of a governing board of a community service board may not enter upon the duties of office until such member takes the following oath of office:  Click to view     STATE OF GEORGIA COUNTY OF I, , do solemnly swear or affirm that I will truly perform the duties of a member of the governing board of the Community Service Board to the best of my ability. I do further swear or affirm: (1) That I am not the holder of any unaccounted for public money due this state or any political subdivision or authority thereof; (2) That I am not the holder of any office of trust under the government of the United States, any other state, or any foreign state which I am by the laws of the State of Georgia prohibited from holding; (3) That I am otherwise qualified to hold said office according to the Constitution and the laws of Georgia; and (4) That I will support the Constitution of the United States and this state. Signature of member of the governing board of the Community Service Board Typed name of member of the governing board of the Community Service Board Sworn and subscribed before me this day of , . (SEAL)    History.  Code 1933,  88-607, enacted by Ga. L. 1976, p. 953,  1; Ga. L. 1986, p. 1213,  1; Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  16; Ga. L. 1994, p. 437,  4; Ga. L. 1999, p. 860,  1; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-7, 2-3; Ga. L. 2006, p. 310,  5/HB 1223; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228; Ga. L. 2010, p. 878,  37/HB 1387; Ga. L. 2011, p. 705,  5-22/HB 214; Ga. L. 2014, p. 309,  4/SB 349; Ga. L. 2016, p. 864,  37/HB 737; Ga. L. 2022, p. 26,  5-2/HB 1013.    The 2022 amendment,  effective July 1, 2022, in subsection (a), added to children and adults at the end of the first sentence and added for children and adults at the end of the second sentence.    Cross references.    Complaints or information from public employees as to fraud, waste, and abuse in state programs and operations,  45-1-4.    Code Commission notes.    Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 2014, the second division (b)(3)(C)(vii), as added by Ga. L. 2014, p. 309,  4/SB 349, was redesignated as division (b)(3)(C)(viii).    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which amends this Code section, provides, in  19.1, not codified by the General Assembly, that the amendment is repealed on June 30, 1999; however, Ga. L. 1998, p. 870,  1, struck  19.1 of Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which would have repealed the 1993 amendment to this Code section.   Ga. L. 2006, p. 310,  10/HB 1223, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to affect or abate any right accrued or vested prior to July 1, 2006, or any action or proceeding commenced prior to July 1, 2006, under any law amended or repealed by this Act.   Ga. L. 2006, p. 310,  11/HB 1223, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that those provisions of that Act which authorize community service boards to amend their bylaws and authorize county governing authorities to appoint no sooner than May 1, 2006, any community service board members to take office on July 1, 2006, shall become effective April 21, 2006.    Law reviews.    For article on the 2011 amendment of this Code section, see 28 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 147 (2011).  
  The department shall formulate and publish in print or electronically biennially a state plan for disability services which shall take into account the disability services plans submitted by the regional offices as required by Code Section 37-2-5.2. The state disability services plan shall be comprehensive and shall include public and private institutional and community services to the disabled. In developing the state plan, the department shall request input from the regional offices and planning boards, the community service boards, hospitals, and other public and private providers. The plan shall include an overview of current services and programs and shall also present information on future program, service, educational, and training needs.   The plan shall address ways of eliminating, to the extent possible, detrimental delays and interruptions in the administration of disability services when moving an individual from one element of service to another in order to ensure continuity of care and treatment for persons receiving such services.   The plan shall further set forth the proposed annual budget of the department and the regions.   The plan shall be submitted to the department, the Governor, the General Assembly, the council, the regional planning boards, the hospitals, the community service boards, and any other public or private provider requesting a copy of the plan.   At such time as the state plan is submitted, the department shall further submit an analysis of services provided, programs instituted, progress made, and the extent of implementation of the previous biennial plan. Such analysis shall measure the effectiveness and the efficiency of the methods of delivering services which ameliorate or prevent disability and restore health. This analysis shall further address the efforts of the department in coordinating services in accordance with Code Section 37-2-9.     History.  Code 1933,  88-606, enacted by Ga. L. 1976, p. 953,  1; Ga. L. 1986, p. 1213,  1; Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  16; Ga. L. 1999, p. 860,  2; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-7; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228; Ga. L. 2010, p. 838,  10/SB 388.    Code Commission notes.    Ga. L. 1999, p. 860,  2, not codified by the General Assembly, provided that subsection (b.1) becomes effective only when funds are specifically appropriated for the purposes of subsection (b.1) in an Appropriations Act making specific reference to this Act. Funds were not appropriated in the 1999, 2000, or 2001 session. The contingent enactment of subsection (b.1) has been treated as superseded by Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-7, which rewrote this article.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which amends this Code section, provides, in  19.1, not codified by the General Assembly, that the amendment is repealed on June 30, 1999; however, Ga. L. 1998, p. 870,  1, struck  19.1 of Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which would have repealed the 1993 amendment to this Code section.  
  Each regional planning board and community service board shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 14 of Title 50, relating to open and public meetings, and Article 4 of Chapter 18 of Title 50, relating to inspection of public records, except where records or proceedings are expressly made confidential pursuant to other provisions of law.   Each regional office and community service board and other public and private providers are authorized to establish one or more advisory boards for the purpose of ensuring coordination with various agencies and organizations and providing professional and other expert guidance.    History. Code 1981,  37-2-9.1 , enacted by Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  16; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-7; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which enacts this Code section, provides, in  19.1, not codified by the General Assembly, that this Code section is repealed on June 30, 1999; however, Ga. L. 1998, p. 870,  1, struck  19.1 of Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which would have repealed this Code section.  
 To the maximum extent possible, disability services provided by the department and the regional offices, hospitals, community service boards, and other public and private providers shall be coordinated with related activities of the department and judicial, correctional, educational, social, and other health service agencies and organizations, both private and public.    History.  Code 1933,  88-609, enacted by Ga. L. 1976, p. 953,  1; Ga. L. 1986, p. 1213,  1; Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  16; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-7; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-1/HB 228.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which amends this Code section, provides, in  19.1, not codified by the General Assembly, that the amendment is repealed on June 30, 1999; however, Ga. L. 1998, p. 870,  1, struck  19.1 of Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which would have repealed the 1993 amendment to this Code section.  
 As used in this article, the term:    Advance directive for health care means a written document voluntarily executed by a patient in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 31-32-5.   Clinical record means a written record pertaining to an individual consumer and shall include all medical records, progress notes, charts, admission and discharge data, and all other information which is recorded by a services provider or other entities responsible for a consumers care and treatment under this chapter and which pertains to the consumers hospitalization, treatment, or habilitation.   Consumer means a natural person who has been or is a recipient of disability services as defined in Code Section 37-1-1 and shall include natural persons who are seeking disability services.   Durable power of attorney for health care means a written document voluntarily executed by an individual creating a health care agency in accordance with Chapter 36 of Title 31, as such chapter existed on and before June 30, 2007.   Estate representative means an executor, executrix, administrator, or administratrix of the estate of a deceased consumer.   Guardian shall have the same meaning as provided in Code Section 29-1-1.   Health care agent means an agent under a durable power of attorney for health care, a health care agent under an advance directive for health care, or a mental health care agent under a psychiatric advance directive.   Office means the office of disability services ombudsman created pursuant to subsection (a) of Code Section 37-2-31.   Ombudsman means the disability services ombudsman appointed as provided for in Code Section 37-2-32.   (9.1)  Psychiatric advance directive means a written document voluntarily executed by a patient in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 37-11-9.    Rights means such rights as provided by statute, rule, or regulation for a consumer of a services provider.   Services provider means a public or private person, corporation, or business which provides disability services operated by the division, under letter of agreement with the division, or under contract with the division.   Safety means freedom from physical harm.   Well-being means quality of life of a consumer, including the environment of care.    History. Code 1981,  37-2-30 , enacted by Ga. L. 2008, p. 133,  3/HB 535; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-11/HB 228; Ga. L. 2022, p. 611,  2-22/HB 752.    The 2022 amendment,  effective July 1, 2022, in paragraph (7), substituted health care, a health care agent for health care or health care agent and added , or a mental health care agent under a psychiatric advance directive at the end; and added paragraph (9.1).  
  There is created the office of disability services ombudsman. The chief officer of such office shall be the ombudsman.   The office and the ombudsman shall:   Be charged with promoting the safety, well-being, and rights of consumers;   Have the powers and duties set forth in this article; and   Act independently of any state official, department, or agency in the performance of duties.     The office and ombudsman shall be assigned to the office of the Governor for administrative purposes only.    History. Code 1981,  37-2-31 , enacted by Ga. L. 2008, p. 133,  3/HB 535.  
  A nominating committee appointed by the Governor shall identify at least three qualified persons to serve as ombudsman. In making the appointment of the ombudsman, the Governor shall consider, but not be limited to, the nominations furnished by the nominating committee. The ombudsman shall have knowledge and experience concerning the safety, well-being, and rights of consumers and shall have the skills to perform the duties set forth in this article.   The nominating committee shall have at least five members, who are residents of this state, appointed by the Governor and selected from the following:   A former consumer of the division;   A current consumer of the division;   A representative of the department;   A representative of an advocacy organization for consumers;   A representative of law enforcement;   A licensed psychiatrist;   A psychologist;   A registered professional nurse; and   A representative of the executive branch of the state government of Georgia.     Three members of the committee shall constitute a quorum. The nominating committee shall elect from among the members a chairperson and a vice chairperson.   The ombudsman shall serve a term of five years and until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. The ombudsman may be reappointed. No person shall serve as ombudsman while holding another public office or while being an owner or operator of a services provider or in the employ of or under contract with a services provider; nor shall such person be a spouse, parent, or child of such an owner, operator, employee, or contractor.    History. Code 1981,  37-2-32 , enacted by Ga. L. 2008, p. 133,  3/HB 535.  
  The ombudsman may appoint such deputy ombudsmen and staff as may be deemed necessary to effectively fulfill the purposes of this article and establish the compensation thereof, within the limits of the funds available for the purposes of the ombudsman. The duties of the deputy ombudsmen and staff may include the duties and powers of the ombudsman if performed under the direction of the ombudsman. The deputy ombudsmen shall be removable at the discretion of the ombudsman.   The ombudsman shall have the authority to contract with experts in fields including but not limited to medicine, psychology, child development, mental or emotional illness, developmental disability, addictive disease, and child welfare, as needed to support the work of the ombudsman, utilizing funds appropriated for the purposes of the ombudsman.    History. Code 1981,  37-2-33 , enacted by Ga. L. 2008, p. 133,  3/HB 535.  
 The ombudsman and persons employed by or acting as agents of the ombudsman shall be deemed members of the work force of the department solely for the purposes of:    Allowing the department to disclose confidential clinical records and protected health information to the ombudsman as provided for in Code Section 37-2-36;   Protecting confidential clinical records and protected health information from further disclosure through or by the ombudsman and the office of the ombudsman; and   Ensuring the departments compliance with the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, P.L. 104-191, and the Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information promulgated pursuant thereto.    History. Code 1981,  37-2-34 , enacted by Ga. L. 2008, p. 133,  3/HB 535.  
 The ombudsman shall:    Establish priorities, policies and procedures for receiving, investigating, referring, and attempting to resolve complaints made by or on behalf of consumers concerning any act, omission to act, practice, policy, or procedure of a services provider that may adversely affect the safety, well-being, and rights of consumers and any policies and procedures necessary to implement the provisions of this article;   Investigate and make reports and recommendations to the department and other appropriate agencies concerning any act or failure to act by any services provider with respect to the safety, well-being, and rights of consumers and is authorized to:   Prioritize investigations, reporting, and recommendations based on the seriousness and pervasiveness of the alleged act or failure to act; and   Refer to the services provider those complaints deemed appropriate for resolution by the services provider;     Establish a uniform state-wide complaint process;   Collect and record data relating to complaints and findings with regard to services providers and analyze such data in order to identify adverse effects upon the safety, well-being, and rights of consumers;   Promote the interests of consumers before governmental agencies and seek administrative and other remedies to protect the safety, well-being, and rights of consumers by:   Analyzing, commenting on, and monitoring the development and implementation of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and other governmental policies and actions that pertain to the safety, well-being, and rights of consumers; and   Recommending any changes in such laws, regulations, policies, and actions as the ombudsman determines to be appropriate;     Make a biennial written report documenting the types of complaints and problems reported by consumers and others on their behalf and include recommendations concerning needed policy, regulatory, and legislative changes. The biennial report shall be submitted to the Governor, the General Assembly, the commissioner, and other appropriate agencies and organizations and made available to the public. The ombudsman shall not be required to distribute copies of the biennial report to the members of the General Assembly but shall notify the members of the availability of the report in the manner which he or she deems to be most effective and efficient. The report shall not identify any consumer by name or by implication without the express written consent of the consumer, or if applicable the parent of a minor consumer, the guardian of the consumer, or the health care agent of the consumer if the agent is so authorized to make such a decision and the consumer is unable to do so; and   Serve as a member of the medical review group established pursuant to Code Section 37-2-45.    History. Code 1981,  37-2-35 , enacted by Ga. L. 2008, p. 133,  3/HB 535.    Code Commission notes.    Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 2008, biennial was substituted for annual in the third sentence of paragraph (6).  
  The ombudsman on his or her initiative or in response to complaints made by or on behalf of consumers may conduct investigations in matters within his or her powers and duties as provided by this article.   The ombudsman shall have the authority to enter any facility, premises, or property where disability services are provided. Upon entering such facility, premises, or property, the ombudsman shall notify the administrator or, in the absence of the administrator, the person in charge of such facility, premises, or property before speaking to any consumer. After notifying the administrator or the person in charge of such facility, premises, or property, the ombudsman may communicate privately and confidentially with consumers in such facility, premises, or property individually or in groups.   The ombudsman shall have the authority to inspect the entire facility, premises, or property and have access to the administrative records, policies, and documents of the facility, premises, or property. Entry and investigation as provided by this Code section shall be conducted in a manner which will not significantly disrupt the provision of disability services to consumers.   The ombudsman shall have access to the clinical records of any consumer if:   The ombudsman has written consent of the consumer, or if applicable the parent of a minor consumer, the guardian of the consumer, or the health care agent of the consumer if the agent is authorized to make such a decision and the consumer is unable to do so; or   The consumer lacks the capacity to consent to the review and has no guardian of the consumer or health care agent who is authorized to make such a decision.     The ombudsman shall identify himself or herself as such to the consumer, and the consumer shall have the right to communicate or refuse to communicate with the ombudsman.   The consumer, the parent of a minor consumer, the consumers guardian, or the health care agent of the consumer if the health care agent is authorized to make such a decision and the consumer is unable to do so, shall have the right to participate in planning any course of action to be taken on the consumers behalf by the ombudsman, and the consumer, parent of a minor consumer, guardian, or health care agent of the consumer if the agent is so authorized, shall have the right to approve or disapprove any proposed action to be taken on the consumers behalf by the ombudsman.   The ombudsman shall have the authority to obtain from any department, governmental agency, or services provider, and such department, agency, or services provider shall provide cooperation and assistance, services, data, and access to, such files and records as will enable the ombudsman properly to perform his or her duties and exercise his or her powers, provided that such information is not privileged under any law.   The ombudsman shall report for investigative purposes any and all:   Suspected criminal activity to the appropriate law enforcement agency;   Suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, or abandonment of a consumer by any person to the appropriate federal or state regulatory authority; and   Suspected violations of any professional code of conduct to the appropriate licensing board.     The ombudsman shall provide information and procedural guidance to any person who requests assistance in making a report of suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, or abandonment of a consumer by any person:   To the appropriate law enforcement agency if criminal activity is suspected; or   To the appropriate federal or state regulatory authority if abuse, neglect, exploitation, or abandonment of a consumer is suspected.      History. Code 1981,  37-2-36 , enacted by Ga. L. 2008, p. 133,  3/HB 535.  
  Following an investigation, the ombudsman shall report his or her opinions or recommendations to the following, as applicable: the consumer, parent of a minor consumer, guardian of the consumer, health care agent of the consumer, estate representative, services provider, and the division and shall attempt to resolve the complaint using, whenever possible, informal techniques of mediation and conciliation. With respect to a complaint against the services provider, the ombudsman shall first notify the administrator or person in charge of that services provider in writing and give such person a reasonable opportunity to correct any alleged defect. If so notified and the administrator or person in charge fails to take corrective action after a reasonable amount of time or if the defect seriously threatens the safety or well-being of any consumer, the ombudsman may refer the complaint to the division and any other appropriate agency.   Complaints or conditions adversely affecting consumers which cannot be resolved in the manner described in subsection (a) of this Code section shall, whenever possible, be referred by the ombudsman to the division and any other appropriate agency.    History. Code 1981,  37-2-37 , enacted by Ga. L. 2008, p. 133,  3/HB 535.  
  The identity of any complainant or individual providing information on behalf of the consumer or complainant relevant to the investigation of a complaint shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed without the express written permission of such person, unless such disclosure is necessary for the department or services provider to protect the safety, well-being, or rights of a consumer; provided, however, that if the complaint becomes the subject of a judicial or administrative proceeding, the identity of such persons may be disclosed for the purpose of the proceeding.   The identity of any and all consumers involved in or mentioned in an investigation, whether as a complainant or otherwise, shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed without the express written consent of the consumer or a person legally authorized to consent for the consumer.    History. Code 1981,  37-2-38 , enacted by Ga. L. 2008, p. 133,  3/HB 535.  
 The ombudsman shall prepare and distribute to each services provider in the state a written notice describing the procedure to follow in making a complaint, including the address and telephone number of the office and the ombudsman. The administrator or person in charge of such services provider shall give the written notice required by this Code section to each consumer who receives disability services from such services provider and the consumers guardian, parent of a minor consumer, or health care agent, if any, upon first providing such disability services. The administrator or person in charge of such services provider shall also post such written notice in conspicuous public places in the facility, premises, or property in which disability services are provided in accordance with procedures provided by the ombudsman and shall give such notice to any consumer and his or her guardian, parent of a minor consumer, or health care agent, if any, who did not receive it upon the consumers first receiving disability services.   History. Code 1981,  37-2-39 , enacted by Ga. L. 2008, p. 133,  3/HB 535.  
  No person shall discriminate or retaliate in any manner against any consumer, relative of a consumer, guardian or health care agent of a consumer, any employee of a services provider, or any other person for making a complaint or providing information in good faith to the ombudsman.   Any person violating this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.    History. Code 1981,  37-2-40 , enacted by Ga. L. 2008, p. 133,  3/HB 535.  
 The ombudsman and commissioner shall obtain federal financial participation for eligible activity by the ombudsman. The ombudsman shall maintain and transmit to the department documentation that is necessary in order to obtain federal funds which shall be applied to the budget of the ombudsman.   History. Code 1981,  37-2-41 , enacted by Ga. L. 2008, p. 133,  3/HB 535.  
 No person providing information, including but not limited to a consumers records, to the ombudsman shall be held, by reason of having provided such information, to have violated any criminal law or to be civilly liable under any law unless such information is false and the person providing such information knew or had reason to believe that it was false.   History. Code 1981,  37-2-42 , enacted by Ga. L. 2008, p. 133,  3/HB 535.  
  Any person who makes a complaint or provides information relating to a complaint as authorized in this article shall incur no civil or criminal liability therefor unless such complaint or information is false and the person making such complaint or providing such information knew or had reason to believe that it was false.   The ombudsman and employees of the office of ombudsman shall be held harmless, including legal fees and costs, if any, in any claim, demand, or suit for damages resulting from acts or omissions committed in the discharge of his or her duties for any action taken under this article if the action was taken in good faith, was within the scope of the ombudsmans authority, and did not constitute willful or reckless misconduct.    History. Code 1981,  37-2-43 , enacted by Ga. L. 2008, p. 133,  3/HB 535.  
 Nothing in this article shall be construed to limit the power of the department to investigate complaints where otherwise authorized by law.   History. Code 1981,  37-2-44 , enacted by Ga. L. 2008, p. 133,  3/HB 535.  
  The Governor shall appoint a medical review group to conduct medical reviews of all deaths of consumers in state hospitals or state operated community residential services, which shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The medical review group shall consist of the ombudsman and four board certified physicians, one of whom shall be a psychiatrist. Three members of the medical review group shall constitute a quorum. The ombudsman shall serve as the chairperson and shall appoint a vice chairperson.   The physician members of the medical review group shall receive such compensation, if any, as may be fixed by the Governor. Such physician members shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred by them in performance of their duties such as transportation, lodging, and subsistence, at the same rate as members of the General Assembly.   The medical review group:   Shall be a review organization and shall conduct reviews of deaths of consumers in state hospitals and state operated community residential services as peer reviews pursuant to Article 6 of Chapter 7 of Title 31;   Shall review, within 60 days of notice of the death, all deaths of consumers:   Occurring on site of a state hospital or state operated community residential services providing services under this title;   In the company of staff of a state hospital or state operated community residential services providing services under this title; or   Occurring within two weeks following the consumers discharge from a state hospital or state operated community residential services;     Shall have access to all clinical records of the consumer, all investigations conducted by the department, state hospitals, or state operated community residential services regarding the death, and all reviews of the death, including peer reviews;   May interview staff of the state hospitals and state operated community residential services, and other persons involved in the events immediately preceding and involving the death;   Shall determine whether the death was the result of natural causes or may have resulted from other than natural causes;   Shall determine whether the death requires further investigation or review;   May make confidential recommendations to the ombudsman, the department, the division, the state hospitals, and state operated community residential services regarding consumer treatment and care, policies, and procedures, which may assist in the prevention of deaths; and   Shall report to the appropriate law enforcement agency any suspected criminal activity or suspected abuse and shall report any suspected violation of any professional code of conduct to the appropriate licensing board.     All peer review records submitted to or produced or created by the medical review group and the findings and recommendations of the medical review group, except for the quarterly reports, shall remain confidential and shall not be considered public records under Article 4 of Chapter 18 of Title 50.    History. Code 1981,  37-2-45 , enacted by Ga. L. 2008, p. 133,  3/HB 535.  
  Within 24 hours after a consumer suffers death, the division, governmental agency, or services provider shall notify the ombudsman of such death; provided, however, that for a death occurring within two weeks following the consumers discharge from a state hospital or state operated community residential services, the division, governmental agency, or services provider shall notify the ombudsman of such death within 24 hours of knowledge of such death.   The medical reviews of deaths in state hospitals and state operated community residential services as provided for in Code Section 37-2-45 shall not be limited by the type of disability services received or applied for by the consumer at any time after the effective date of this part and such reviews shall be of the death of all consumers, the provisions of Code Section 37-2-47 notwithstanding.    History. Code 1981,  37-2-46 , enacted by Ga. L. 2008, p. 133,  3/HB 535.  
 Commencing with the calendar month immediately following the month in which this part becomes effective, for the purposes of this article, the office and the ombudsman shall receive, investigate, refer, and attempt to resolve complaints made by or on behalf of only those consumers with mental or emotional illness, consumers with mental or emotional illness and co-occurring developmental disability, and consumers with mental or emotional illness and co-occurring addictive disease.   History. Code 1981,  37-2-47 , enacted by Ga. L. 2008, p. 133,  3/HB 535.  
 Commencing with the calendar month immediately following the month in which this part becomes effective, for the purposes of this article, the office and ombudsman shall, in addition to those powers and duties provided by Code Section 37-2-47, receive, investigate, refer, and attempt to resolve complaints made by or on behalf of all consumers with developmental disability or addictive disease.   History. Code 1981,  37-2-50 , enacted by Ga. L. 2008, p. 133,  3/HB 535.  
 As used in this chapter, the term:    (.1)  Available outpatient treatment means outpatient treatment, either public or private, available in the patients community, including but not limited to supervision and support of the patient by family, friends, or other responsible persons in that community. Outpatient treatment at state expense shall be available only within the limits of state funds specifically appropriated therefor.    Chief medical officer means the physician with overall responsibility for patient treatment at any facility receiving patients under this chapter or a physician appointed in writing as the designee of such chief medical officer.   Clinical record means a written record pertaining to an individual patient and shall include all medical records, progress notes, charts, admission and discharge data, and all other information which is recorded by a facility or other entities responsible for a patients care and treatment under this chapter and which pertains to the patients hospitalization and treatment. Such other information as may be required by rules and regulations of the board shall also be included.   Community mental health center means an organized program for the care and treatment of the mentally ill operated by a community service board or other appropriate public provider.   Court means:   In the case of an individual who is 17 years of age or older, the probate court of the county of residence of the patient or the county in which such patient is found. Notwithstanding Code Section 15-9-13, in any case in which the judge of such court is unable to hear a case brought under this chapter within the time required for such hearing or is unavailable to issue the order specified in subsection (b) of Code Section 37-3-41, such judge shall appoint a person to serve and exercise all the jurisdiction of the probate court in such case. Any person so appointed shall be a member of the State Bar of Georgia and shall be otherwise qualified for his duties by training and experience. Such appointment may be made on a case-by-case basis or by making a standing appointment of one or more persons. Any person receiving such standing appointment shall serve at the pleasure of the judge making the appointment or his successor in office to hear such cases if and when necessary. The compensation of a person so appointed shall be as agreed upon by the judge who makes the appointment and the person appointed with the approval of the governing authority of the county for which such person is appointed and shall be paid from the county funds of said county. All fees collected for the services of such appointed person shall be paid into the general funds of the county served; or   In the case of an individual who is under the age of 17 years, the juvenile court of the county of residence of the patient or the county in which such patient is found.     Emergency receiving facility means a facility designated by the department to receive patients under emergency conditions as provided in Part 1 of Article 3 of this chapter.   Evaluating facility means a facility designated by the department to receive patients for psychiatric evaluation as provided in Part 2 of Article 3 of this chapter.   Facility means any state owned or state operated hospital, community mental health center, or other facility utilized for the diagnosis, care, treatment, or hospitalization of persons who are mentally ill; any facility operated or utilized for such purpose by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or other federal agency; and any other hospital or facility within the State of Georgia approved for such purpose by the department.   Full and fair hearing or hearing means a proceeding before a hearing examiner under Code Section 37-3-83 or Code Section 37-3-93 or before a court as defined in paragraph (4) of this Code section. The hearing may be held in a regular courtroom or in an informal setting, in the discretion of the hearing examiner or the court, but the hearing shall be recorded electronically or by a qualified court reporter. The patient shall be provided with effective assistance of counsel. If the patient cannot afford counsel, the court shall appoint counsel for him or the hearing examiner shall have the court appoint such counsel; provided, however, that the patient shall have the right to refuse in writing the appointment of counsel, in the discretion of the hearing examiner or the court. The patient shall have the right to confront and cross-examine witnesses and to offer evidence. The patient shall have the right to subpoena witnesses and to require testimony before the hearing examiner or in court in person or by deposition from any physician upon whose evaluation the decision of the hearing examiner or the court may rest. The patient shall have the right to obtain a continuance for any reasonable time for good cause shown. The hearing examiner and the court shall apply the rules of evidence applicable in civil cases. The burden of proof shall be upon the party seeking treatment of the patient. The standard of proof shall be by clear and convincing evidence. At the request of the patient, the public may be excluded from the hearing. The patient may waive his right to be present at the hearing, in the discretion of the hearing examiner or the court. The reason for the action of the court or hearing examiner in excluding the public or permitting the hearing to proceed in the patients absence shall be reflected in the record.   Individualized service plan means a proposal developed during a patients stay in a facility and which is specifically tailored to the individual patients treatment needs. Each plan shall clearly include the following:   A statement of treatment goals or objectives, based upon and related to a proper evaluation, which can be reasonably achieved within a designated time interval;   Treatment methods and procedures to be used to obtain these goals, which methods and procedures are related to these goals and which include a specific prognosis for achieving these goals;   Identification of the types of professional personnel who will carry out the treatment and procedures, including appropriate medical or other professional involvement by a physician or other health professional properly qualified to fulfill legal requirements mandated under state and federal law;   Documentation of patient involvement and, if applicable, the patients accordance with the service plan; and   A statement attesting that the chief medical officer has made a reasonable effort to meet the plans individualized treatment goals in the least restrictive environment possible closest to the patients home community.     Who presents a substantial risk of imminent harm to that person or others, as manifested by either recent overt acts or recent expressed threats of violence which present a probability of physical injury to that person or other persons; or   Who is so unable to care for that persons own physical health and safety as to create an imminently life-endangering crisis; and     Who is in need of involuntary inpatient treatment.       (9.1)  Inpatient means a person who is mentally ill and:    (9.2)  Inpatient treatment or hospitalization means a program of treatment for mental illness within a hospital facility setting.    (9.3)  Involuntary treatment means inpatient or outpatient treatment which a patient is required to obtain pursuant to this chapter.    Least restrictive alternative, least restrictive environment, or least restrictive appropriate care and treatment means that which is the least restrictive available alternative, environment, or care and treatment, respectively, within the limits of state funds specifically appropriated therefor.   Reserved.   Mentally ill person requiring involuntary treatment means a mentally ill person who is an inpatient or an outpatient.   (12.1)  Outpatient means a person who is mentally ill and:    (12.2)  Outpatient treatment means a program of treatment for mental illness outside a hospital facility setting which includes, without being limited to, medication and prescription monitoring, individual or group therapy, day or partial programming activities, case management services, and other services to alleviate or treat the patients mental illness so as to maintain the patients semi-independent functioning and to prevent the patients becoming an inpatient.    Who is capable of surviving safely in the community with available resources or supervision from family, friends, or others;   Who, based on their psychiatric condition or history, is in need of treatment in order to prevent further disability or deterioration that would predictably result in dangerousness to self or others; and   Whose current mental status or the nature of their illness limits or negates their  ability to make an informed decision to seek voluntarily or to comply with recommended treatment.     Patient means any mentally ill person who seeks treatment under this chapter or any person for whom such treatment is sought.   Private facility means any hospital facility that is a proprietary hospital or a hospital operated by a nonprofit corporation or association approved for the purposes of this chapter, as provided herein, or any hospital facility operated by a hospital authority created pursuant to the Hospital Authorities Law, Article 4 of Chapter 7 of Title 31.   (14.1)  Psychologist means a licensed psychologist who meets the criteria of training and experience as a health service provider psychologist as provided in Code Section 31-7-162.    Representatives means the persons appointed as provided in Code Section 37-3-147 to receive notice of the proceedings for voluntary or involuntary treatment.   Superintendent means the chief administrative officer who has overall management responsibility at any facility receiving patients under this chapter, other than a regional state hospital or state owned or operated community program, or an individual appointed as the designee of such superintendent.   (16.1)  Traumatic brain injury means a traumatic insult to the brain and its related parts resulting in organic damage thereto which may cause physical, intellectual, emotional, social, or vocational changes in a person. It shall also be recognized that a person having a traumatic brain injury may have organic damage or physical or social disorders, but for the purposes of this chapter, traumatic brain injury shall not be considered mental illness.    Treatment means care, diagnostic and therapeutic services, including the administration of drugs, and any other service for the treatment of an individual.   Treatment facility means a facility designated by the department to receive patients for psychiatric treatment as provided in Code Sections 37-3-80 through 37-3-84.     History.  Ga. L. 1958, p. 697,  1; Ga. L. 1960, p. 837,  1; Code 1933,  88-501, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1979, p. 723,  1-3; Ga. L. 1982, p. 3,  37; Ga. L. 1986, p. 1098,  1; Ga. L. 1989, p. 1566,  3; Ga. L. 1990, p. 45,  1; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  8; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1902,  1; Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  17.1; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-9, 1-10; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-12/HB 228; Ga. L. 2010, p. 286,  8/SB 244; Ga. L. 2022, p. 26,  3-2/HB 1013.    The 2022 amendment,  effective July 1, 2022, rewrote subparagraphs (12.1)(A) through (12.1)(C) which read: (A) Who is not an inpatient but who, based on the person's treatment history or current mental status, will require outpatient treatment in order to avoid predictably and imminently becoming an inpatient;   (B) Who because of the person's current mental status, mental history, or nature of the person's mental illness is unable voluntarily to seek or comply with outpatient treatment; and   (C) Who is in need of involuntary treatment.    Code Commission notes.    Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 2009, the paragraph (11) designation, which was inadvertently stricken by the 2009 amendment, was added.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which amends this Code section, provides, in  19.1, not codified by the General Assembly, that the amendment is repealed on June 30, 1999; however, Ga. L. 1998, p. 870,  1, struck  19.1 of Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which would have repealed the 1993 amendment to this Code section.    Law reviews.    For comment, 1986 Amendments to Georgias Mental Health Statutes: The Latest Attempt to Provide a Solution to the Problem of the Chronically Mentally Ill, see 36 Emory L.J. 1313 (1987).   For note, The Parity Cure: Solving Unequal Treatment of Mental Illness Health Insurance Through Federal Legislation, see 44 Ga. L. Rev. 511 (2010).  
  The board shall issue regulations to implement this chapter in accordance with the intent of this chapter to safeguard the rights of the mentally ill, as set forth in Code Sections 37-3-100, 37-3-101, and 37-3-120, and Article 6 of this chapter.   In addition to the other powers provided by this chapter, the department shall have the authority:   To enforce the regulations issued by the board;   To prescribe the forms of applications, records, medical certificates, and any other forms required or used under this chapter and the information required to be contained therein;   To require such reports from any facility as it may find necessary to the performance of its duties or functions;   To visit facilities regularly to review the hospitalization procedures applied to all patients;   To determine the care and treatment being given all patients;   To investigate complaints and make reports and recommendations relative to the same; and   To make effective such procedures and orders as may be appropriate to carry out this chapter.  Notwithstanding the powers granted to the department under this Code section, the requirements of this Code section as to determination of treatment and care of patients and the investigation of complaints shall not apply to patients hospitalized in an institution operated by or under the control of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or any other federal agency.        History.  Ga. L. 1877, p. 113,  1, 2, 4; Code 1882,  1344b, 1344c, 1344e; Civil Code 1895,  1412, 1413, 1415; Civil Code 1910,  1574, 1575, 1577, 1595; Ga. L. 1931, p. 7,  41; Code 1933,  35-202, 35-203, 35-205; Ga. L. 1958, p. 697,  21; Ga. L. 1960, p. 837,  19; Code 1933,  88-519, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Code 1933,  88-508.1, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Code 1933,  88-507.1, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1990, p. 45,  1.  
 No hospitalization of a mentally ill person lawful before September 1, 1978, shall be deemed unlawful because of the enactment of this chapter. The board is authorized to establish reasonable regulations to require that the chief medical officer of each treatment facility apply under Code Section 37-3-83 for an order authorizing continued hospitalization of any patient for whom such hospitalization is necessary and who was initially hospitalized under an order of a court prior to September 1, 1978. Such prior orders of hospitalization entered by the courts, unless superseded at an earlier date by an order under this chapter or unless such prior orders expire under their own terms at an earlier date, shall remain valid until March 1, 1979, after which all such orders shall be null and void and of no effect.    History.  Code 1933,  88-508.7, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Code 1933,  88-507.6, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1.  
 Any hospital or any physician, psychologist, peace officer, attorney, or health official, or any hospital official, agent, or other person employed by a private hospital or at a facility operated by the state, by a political subdivision of the state, or by a hospital authority created pursuant to Article 4 of Chapter 7 of Title 31, who acts in good faith in compliance with the transport, admission, and discharge provisions of this chapter shall be immune from civil or criminal liability for his or her actions in connection with the transport of a patient to a physician or facility, the admission of a patient to a facility, or the discharge of a patient from a facility; provided, however, that nothing in this Code section shall be construed to relieve any hospital or any physician, psychologist, peace officer, attorney, or health official, or any hospital official, agent, or other person employed by a private hospital or at a facility operated by the state, by a political subdivision of the state, or by a hospital authority created pursuant to Article 4 of Chapter 7 of Title 31, from liability for failing to meet the applicable standard of care in the provision of treatment to a patient. The immunity from civil liability provided in this Code section in connection with the transport of a patient to a physician or a facility shall apply only to injury or damages incurred by such patient or his or her personal representative.    History.  Code 1933,  88-502.18, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Code 1933,  88-502.23, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1981, p. 996,  3; Ga. L. 2011, p. 346,  2/HB 343; Ga. L. 2022, p. 722,  3/SB 403.    The 2022 amendment,  effective July 1, 2022, substituted transport, admission, and discharge for admission and discharge, inserted the transport of a patient to a physician or facility,, substituted facility, or the discharge for facility or the discharge, and added the second sentence.    Cross references.    Liability of law enforcement officers for actions taken at scene of emergency,  35-1-7 .   Employment and training of peace officers, T. 35, C. 8.   Physicians generally, T. 43, C. 34.   Psychologists generally, T. 43, C. 39.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 2022, p. 722,  1/SB 403, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall be known and may be cited as the Georgia Behavioral Health and Peace Officer Co-Responder Act.   Ga. L. 2022, p. 722,  2/SB 403, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: The General Assembly finds that:   (1) Demands on peace officers include responding to emergencies involving individuals with a mental or emotional illness, developmental disability, or addictive disease, without the benefit of a behavioral health specialist being present;   (2) The presence of a behavioral health specialist exponentially decreases the risk of escalation;   (3) The absence of a behavioral health specialist may result in the arrest of individuals whose conduct would be more effectively treated and stabilized in a behavioral health setting rather than a jail or prison;   (4) Law enforcement agencies throughout Georgia frequently report that jails and prisons are becoming revolving door behavioral health hospitals of last resort;   (5) Several law enforcement agencies in Georgia have established co-responder programs and formed co-responder partnerships with local community service boards. Community service boards provide support during emergency responses and provide follow-up services to help stabilize the individual in crisis and prevent relapse;   (6) Combining the expertise of peace officers and behavioral health specialists to de-escalate behavioral health crises prevents unnecessary incarceration of individuals with a mental or emotional illness, developmental disability, or addictive disease and instead links those in crisis to services that promote stability and reduce the likelihood of recurrence, decreases the costs incurred by prisons and jails to incarcerate such individuals, and increases the ability of peace officers outside of the co-responder teams to focus on serious crimes; and   (7) It is in the best interest of the state to establish the framework for a state-wide co-responder model to include emergency response co-responder teams and post-emergency behavioral health services.    Law reviews.    For annual survey of law on trial practice and procedure, see 62 Mercer L. Rev. 339 (2010).  
 If, during the period of involuntary hospitalization pursuant to any valid physicians certificate, court order, or order by the hearing examiner authorized by this chapter, a patient escapes or otherwise leaves a facility without permission, the facility may advise any peace officer that the patient has escaped or otherwise left the facility without permission; and the peace officer shall be authorized to take the patient into custody and return him to such facility.    History.  Code 1933,  88-507.9, enacted by Ga. L. 1979, p. 723,  10.  
 Any private facility within this state may be approved as an emergency receiving facility, an evaluating facility, or a treatment facility by the department at the request of or with the consent of the governing officers of such private facility. When so approved, the private facility shall have all powers given to the corresponding type of state owned or state operated facility under the provisions of this chapter on voluntary admission, emergency admission, admission for evaluation, and involuntary hospitalization and shall have all duties and obligations of such facilities imposed by this chapter, except that any such private facility may decline to accept any patient who is unable to pay it for hospitalization or for whom it has no available space.    History.  Code 1933,  88-508.6, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Code 1933,  88-507.5, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1.  
 Any person who abandons or leaves any patient on the grounds of any state owned or state operated psychiatric hospital without the permission of the regional state hospital administrator of the hospital commits the offense of criminal trespass.    History.  Ga. L. 1918, p. 274,  1; Code 1933,  35-9901; Code 1933,  88-2715, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-18.    Cross references.    Penalty for criminal trespass,  16-7-21 .  
 Any person who loiters about or trespasses on the property of any state owned or state operated psychiatric hospital or drives or rides over the grounds or roads of such hospital property with horses, automobiles, bicycles, motorcycles, or other vehicles, except in accordance with such rules and regulations as may be posted under the authority of the board, commits the offense of criminal trespass.    History.  Ga. L. 1918, p. 274,  1; Code 1933,  35-9902; Code 1933,  88-2716, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1.    Cross references.    Penalty for criminal trespass,  16-7-21 .  
  The chief medical officer of any facility may receive for observation and diagnosis any patient 12 years of age or older making application therefor, any patient under 18 years of age for whom such application is made by his or her parent or guardian, any patient who has a psychiatric advance directive and for whom such application is made by his or her mental health care agent, and any patient who has been declared legally incompetent and for whom such application is made by his or her guardian. If found to show evidence of mental illness and to be suitable for treatment, such person may be given care and treatment at such facility; and such person may be detained by such facility until discharged pursuant to Code Section 37-3-21 or 37-3-22. The parents or guardian of a minor child must give written consent to such treatment. An individualized service plan shall be developed for such person as soon as possible.   Any individual voluntarily admitted to a facility under this Code section shall be given notice of his or her rights under this chapter at the time of admission.     History.  Ga. L. 1952, p. 94,  1; Ga. L. 1958, p. 697,  2; Ga. L. 1960, p. 837,  2; Code 1933,  88-502, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Code 1933,  88-503.1, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 2022, p. 611,  2-23/HB 752.    The 2022 amendment,  effective July 1, 2022, in the first sentence in subsection (a), substituted his or her parent for his parent and his or her guardian for his guardian, and inserted any patient who has a psychiatric advance directive and for whom such application is made by his or her mental health care agent,; and in subsection (b), substituted his or her rights for his rights and deleted his preceding admission.    Law reviews.    For note comparing procedures for hospitalization of the mentally ill in Georgia to other jurisdictions and suggesting improvements, see 7 Mercer L. Rev. 361 (1956).   For article comparing hospitalization of mentally ill under Code 1933, Ch. 49-6, to present procedures under this chapter, see 23 Ga. B.J. 191 (1960).   For article recommending more consistency in age requirements of laws pertaining to the welfare of minors, see 6 Ga. St. B.J. 189 (1969).   For comment on Parham v. J.R., 442 U.S. 584, 99 S. Ct. 2493 , 61 L. Ed. 2 d 101 (1979); Secretary of Pub. Welfare v. Institutionalized Juveniles, 442 U.S. 640, 99 S. Ct. 2523 , 61 L. Ed. 2 d 142 (1979), regarding juvenile commitment to state mental hospitals upon application of parents or guardians, see 29 Emory L.J. 517 (1980).   For note, Due Process Rights of Minors and Parental Authority in Civil Commitment Cases, see 31 Mercer L. Rev. 617 (1980).   For annual survey of law on trial practice and procedure, see 62 Mercer L. Rev. 339 (2010).  
  The chief medical officer of the facility shall discharge any voluntary patient who has recovered from his mental illness or who has sufficiently improved that the chief medical officer determines, after consideration of the recommendations of the treatment team, that hospitalization of the patient is no longer necessary, provided that in no event shall any such patient be so discharged if, in the judgment of the chief medical officer of such facility, such discharge would be unsafe for the patient or others.  The chief medical officer may designate in writing a physician or psychologist, who may be the attending physician or treating psychologist, to make these discharge decisions.  If the decision of the designee is contrary to the recommendations of the treatment team or of a physician or psychologist member of the treatment team, the issue must go to the chief medical officer for final determination.  Where there is concurrence, the decision of the designee will be final.   Notice of discharge of patients who have been transferred from involuntary to voluntary status shall be given pursuant to Code Section 37-3-24.     History.  Ga. L. 1874, p. 91,  1; Code 1882,  1344a; Ga. L. 1884-85, p. 61,  1; Civil Code 1895,  1416; Civil Code 1910,  1578; Ga. L. 1931, p. 7,  41; Code 1933,  35-206; Ga. L. 1952, p. 94,  2; Ga. L. 1958, p. 697,  3; Ga. L. 1960, p. 837,  3; Code 1933,  88-503, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Code 1933,  88-503.2, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  2; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1902,  2.  
  A voluntary patient, other than a minor child for whom admission has been sought by his parents or guardian, who has admitted himself to a facility pursuant to subsection (a) of Code Section 37-3-20 or any voluntary patients personal representative, legal guardian, parent, spouse, attorney, or adult next of kin may request such patients discharge in writing at any time after his admission. If the patient was admitted on his own application and the request for discharge is made by a person other than the patient, the discharge shall be conditioned upon the agreement of the patient thereto, unless such other person is the legal guardian of the patients person. The request for discharge may be submitted to the chief medical officer or to any staff physician or staff psychologist or staff registered nurse of the facility for transmittal to the chief medical officer. If the patient or another on his behalf makes an oral request for release to any member of the staff or other service provider, the patient must within 24 hours be given assistance in preparing a written request. The person to whom a written request is submitted shall deliver the request to the chief medical officer within 24 hours, Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays excluded. Within 72 hours, excluding Sundays and legal holidays, of the delivery of a written request for release to the chief medical officer, the patient must be discharged from the facility, unless the chief medical officer finds that the discharge would be unsafe for the patient or others, in which case proceedings for involuntary treatment must be initiated under either Code Section 37-3-41, Code Section 37-3-61, or Code Section 37-3-81.   Notice of discharge of patients who have been transferred from involuntary to voluntary status shall be given pursuant to Code Section 37-3-24.     History.  Ga. L. 1952, p. 94,  3; Ga. L. 1958, p. 697,  4; Ga. L. 1960, p. 837,  4; Code 1933,  88-504, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Code 1933,  88-503.3, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1983, p. 3,  28; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  9; Ga. L. 1992, p. 6,  37.  
 At the time of his admission and each six months thereafter, any voluntary patient admitted to a facility under Code Section 37-3-20 or transferred to voluntary status under Code Section 37-3-24 shall be notified in writing of his right to discharge upon application under Code Section 37-3-22 and of all other rights granted to patients under this chapter.    History.  Code 1933,  88-503.4, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1.  
 Any involuntary patient may apply to be transferred to voluntary status of hospitalization and shall be so transferred if he is able to understand and exercise the rights and powers of a voluntary patient unless the chief medical officer finds that this would not be in the best interest of the patient, which finding shall be entered in the patients clinical record and signed by the chief medical officer. In any case in which such transfer to voluntary status occurs and in any case in which a patient transferred to voluntary status is discharged, notice of such transfer or discharge, as the case may be, shall be given: to the patient and his representatives; if the patients hospitalization was ordered by the court, to the court which entered such order; if the patient was admitted to a facility under subsection (a) of Code Section 37-3-41, to the physician or psychologist executing the certificate; and, if the patient was under criminal charges, of which the facility received written notification, by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery to the law enforcement agency originally having custody of the patient. An involuntary patient transferred to voluntary status, which patient is under criminal charges, notice of which charges have been given in writing to the facility, may only be discharged into the physical custody of the law enforcement agency originally having custody of the patient. Such agency shall assume such custody within five days after the mailing of notification to the agency pursuant to this Code section.    History.  Code 1933,  88-503.5, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1979, p. 723,  6; Ga. L. 1982, p. 3,  37; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  10; Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589,  3.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589,  16, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that the amendment to this Code section is applicable with respect to notices delivered on or after July 1, 2000.  
  Any state owned and state operated facility may be designated by the department as an emergency receiving facility. The department shall maintain an emergency receiving facility at each Georgia regional hospital which shall accept, under Code Sections 37-3-41 through 37-3-44, patients found in any county in the service region of the hospital. Any other facility within the State of Georgia may be so designated by the department at the request of or with the consent of the governing officers of the facility.   No later than January 15, 2023, any emergency receiving facility designated under this Code section shall report to the department de-identified, aggregated data with the total number of:   Certificates received at the emergency receiving facility by county issued under subsection (a) of Code Section 37-3-41;   Such certificates received at the emergency receiving facility by each type of licensed professional authorized under Code Section 37-3-41;   Individuals examined in each emergency receiving facility designated or utilized by the department in accordance with subsection (a) of Code Section 37-3-41; and   Individuals admitted to each emergency receiving facility designated or utilized by the department following an examination in accordance with subsection (a) of Code Section 37-3-41.     The frequency of the reporting requirement required by subsection (b) of this Code section shall be determined by the department no later than December 31, 2021.   Failure to submit the information required by subsection (b) of this Code section as directed by the department shall result in the suspension of a facilitys designation as an emergency receiving facility until the required reports are submitted to the department.     History.  Code 1933,  88-504.1, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 2021, p. 686,  1/HB 591.    The 2021 amendment,  effective July 1, 2021, designated the existing provisions of this Code section as subsection (a) and added subsections (b) through (d).  
  Any physician within this state may execute a certificate stating that he or she has personally examined a person within the preceding 48 hours and found that, based upon observations set forth in the certificate, such person appears to be a mentally ill person requiring involuntary treatment. A physicians certificate shall expire seven days after it is executed. Any peace officer, within 72 hours after receiving such certificate, shall make diligent efforts to take into custody the person named in the certificate and to deliver him or her forthwith to the nearest available emergency receiving facility serving the county in which the patient is found, where he or she shall be received for examination.   The appropriate court of the county in which a person may be found may issue an order commanding any peace officer to take such person into custody and deliver him or her forthwith for examination, either to the nearest available emergency receiving facility serving the county in which the patient is found, where such person shall be received for examination, or to a physician who has agreed to examine such patient and who will provide, where appropriate, a certificate pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section to permit delivery of such patient to an emergency receiving facility pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section. Such order may only be issued if based either upon an unexpired physicians certificate, as provided in subsection (a) of this Code section, or upon the affidavits of at least two persons who attest that, within the preceding 48 hours, they have seen the person to be taken into custody and that, based upon observations contained in their affidavit, they have reason to believe such person is a mentally ill person requiring involuntary treatment. The court order shall expire seven days after it is executed.   Any peace officer taking into custody and delivering for examination a person, as authorized by subsection (a) or (b) of this Code section, shall execute a written report detailing the circumstances under which such person was taken into custody. The report and either the physicians certificate or court order authorizing such taking into custody shall be made a part of the patients clinical record.   Any psychologist, clinical social worker, licensed professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, or clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric/mental health may perform any act specified by this Code section to be performed by a physician. Any reference in any part of this chapter to a physician acting under this Code section shall be deemed to refer equally to a psychologist, a clinical social worker, a licensed professional counselor, a marriage and family therapist, or a clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric/mental health acting under this Code section. For purposes of this Code section, the term psychologist means any person authorized under the laws of this state to practice as a licensed psychologist; the term clinical social worker means any person authorized under the laws of this state to practice as a licensed clinical social worker; the term licensed professional counselor means any person authorized under the laws of this state to practice as a licensed professional counselor; the term marriage and family therapist means any person authorized under the laws of this state to practice as a licensed marriage and family therapist; and the term clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric/mental health means any person authorized under the laws of this state to practice as a registered professional nurse and who is recognized by the Georgia Board of Nursing to be engaged in advanced nursing practice as a clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric/mental health.   No later than February 15, 2023, and annually thereafter, the department shall prepare a report with de-identified, aggregated data from the written reports required by subsection (b) of Code Section 37-3-40 to the General Assembly, the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives during each regular legislative session. The annual report shall include the following data from the previous calendar year:   The total number of certificates received at the emergency receiving facility by county from which the certificate was issued;   The total number of certificates received at the emergency receiving facility by each type of licensed professional authorized by this Code section;   The total number of individuals examined in each emergency receiving facility designated or utilized by the department in accordance with subsection (a) of this Code section; and   The total number of individuals admitted to each emergency receiving facility designated or utilized by the department following an examination in accordance with subsection (a) of this Code section.       History.  Code 1933,  88-504.2, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Ga. L. 1971, p. 796,  1; Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1981, p. 996,  4; Ga. L. 1987, p. 3,  37; Ga. L. 1992, p. 2531,  1.1; Ga. L. 1994, p. 1249,  1; Ga. L. 2014, p. 347,  1/SB 65; Ga. L. 2015, p. 4,  1/SB 53; Ga. L. 2017, p. 617,  1/SB 52; Ga. L. 2021, p. 686,  2/HB 591.    The 2021 amendment,  effective July 1, 2021, in subsection (d), inserted marriage and family therapist, in the first sentence, inserted a marriage and family therapist, in the middle of the second sentence, inserted the term marriage and family therapist means any person authorized under the laws of this state to practice as a licensed marriage and family therapist; in the middle of the third sentence; and added subsection (e).    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 2014, p. 347,  2A/SB 65, as amended by Ga. L. 2015, p. 4,  1/SB 53, which provides for the repeal of the amendment made by  1 of that Act was repealed by Ga. L. 2017, p. 617,  1/SB 52, effective May 9, 2017.    Cross references.    Arrest of persons, T. 17, C. 4.   Licensing of applied psychologists, T. 43, C. 39.    Law reviews.    For note comparing procedures for hospitalization of the mentally ill in Georgia to other jurisdictions and suggesting improvements, see 7 Mercer L. Rev. 361 (1956).   For comment, 1986 Amendments to Georgias Mental Health Statutes: The Latest Attempt to Provide a Solution to the Problem of the Chronically Mentally Ill, see 36 Emory L.J. 1313 (1987).   For survey article on criminal law, see 59 Mercer L. Rev. 89 (2007).  
    A peace officer may take any person to a physician within the county or an adjoining county for emergency examination by the physician, as provided in Code Section 37-3-41, or directly to an emergency receiving facility if (i) the person is committing a penal offense, and (ii) the peace officer has probable cause for believing that the person is a mentally ill person requiring involuntary treatment. The peace officer need not formally tender charges against the individual prior to taking the individual to a physician or an emergency receiving facility under this Code section. The peace officer shall execute a written report detailing the circumstances under which the person was taken into custody; and this report shall be made a part of the patients clinical record.   A peace officer may take any person to an emergency receiving facility if: (i) the peace officer has probable cause to believe that the person is a mentally ill person requiring involuntary treatment; and (ii) the peace officer has consulted either in-person or via telephone or telehealth with a physician, as provided in Code Section 37-3-41, and the physician authorizes the peace officer to transport the individual for an evaluation. To authorize transport for evaluation, the physician shall determine, based on facts available regarding the persons condition, including the report of the peace officer and the physicians communications with the person or witnesses, that there is probable cause to believe that the person needs an examination to determine if the person requires involuntary treatment. The peace officer shall execute a written report detailing the circumstances under which the person is detained; and this report shall be made a part of the patients clinical record.     Any psychologist may perform any act specified by this Code section to be performed by a physician. Any reference in any part of this chapter to a physician acting under this Code section shall be deemed to refer equally to a psychologist acting under this Code section. For purposes of this subsection, the term psychologist means any person authorized under the laws of this state to practice as a licensed psychologist.     History.  Code 1933,  88-504.3, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1981, p. 996,  4; Ga. L. 1987, p. 3,  37; Ga. L. 2022, p. 26,  3-3/HB 1013.    The 2022 amendment,  effective July 1, 2022, redesignated subsection (a) as paragraph (a)(1); in paragraph (a)(1), substituted (i) and (ii) for (1) and (2), respectively; and added paragraph (a)(2).    Code Commission notes.    Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 2022, is was inserted in the last sentence of paragraph (a)(2).    Cross references.    Arrest of persons, T. 17, C. 4.   Licensing of applied psychologists, T. 43, C. 39.  
  A patient who is admitted to an emergency receiving facility shall be examined by a physician as soon thereafter as possible but in any event within 48 hours and may be given such emergency treatment as is indicated by good medical practice. The patient must be discharged within 48 hours of his admission unless:   An examining physician or psychologist concludes that there is reason to believe that the patient may be a mentally ill person requiring involuntary treatment and executes a certificate to that effect within such time; or   The patient is under criminal charges, notice of which has been given in writing to the facility, in which case the provisions of Code Section 37-3-95 shall apply.  Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit a physician or psychologist who previously executed a certificate authorized by the provisions of this chapter from executing any other certificate provided for in this chapter for the same or any other patient.      Within 24 hours of the execution of the certificate under paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of this Code section, the patient shall be transported, as provided in Code Section 37-3-101, to an evaluating facility where he shall be received pursuant to Code Section 37-3-63 unless the patient has been determined and certified to meet all of the outpatient treatment requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (c) of Code Section 37-3-90, in which event the patient shall be discharged under the conditions provided in Code Section 37-3-91, except that if the patient is under criminal charges, notice of which has been given in writing to the facility, the provisions of Code Section 37-3-95 shall apply.   Notice of any proposed discharge shall be given to the patient and his representatives; if the patient was admitted to the facility under subsection (a) of Code Section 37-3-41, to the physician or psychologist who executed the certificate; if the patient was admitted to the facility under subsection (b) of Code Section 37-3-41, to the court which issued the order; and, if the patient was under criminal charges, written notice of which had been given to the facility, by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery to the law enforcement agency originally having custody of the patient.     History.  Ga. L. 1958, p. 697,  9; Ga. L. 1960, p. 837,  9; Code 1933,  88-509, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Code 1933,  88-504.4, 88-504.5, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Ga. L. 1977, p. 1293,  8; Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1982, p. 3,  37; Ga. L. 1982, p. 937,  5, 7; Ga. L. 1985, p. 1024,  1; Ga. L. 1986, p. 1098,  2; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  11; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1902,  3; Ga. L. 1996, p. 6,  37; Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589,  3.    Cross references.    Arrest of persons, T. 17, C. 4.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589,  16, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that the amendment to this Code section is applicable with respect to notices delivered on or after July 1, 2000.    Law reviews.    For comment, 1986 Amendments to Georgias Mental Health Statutes: The Latest Attempt to Provide a Solution to the Problem of the Chronically Mentally Ill, see 36 Emory L.J. 1313 (1987).  
  Immediately upon arrival of a person at an emergency receiving facility under Code Section 37-3-43 or as soon thereafter as reasonably possible given a persons condition or mental state at the time of arrival, the facility shall give the person written notice of his or her right to petition for a writ of habeas corpus or for a protective order under Code Section 37-3-148. This written notice shall also inform the person who has mental illness that he or she has a right to legal counsel and that, if the person is unable to afford counsel, the court will appoint counsel.   The notice informing the persons representatives of such persons hospitalization in an emergency receiving facility shall include a clear notification that the representatives may petition for a writ of habeas corpus or for a protective order under Code Section 37-3-148.     History.  Code 1933,  88-504.6, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1986, p. 1098,  2; Ga. L. 2016, p. 313,  1/SB 271.    Cross references.    Arrest of persons, T. 17, C. 4.  
 Any state owned or state operated facility may be designated by the department as an evaluating facility. The department shall maintain an evaluating facility at each Georgia regional hospital which shall accept, under Code Sections 37-3-61 through 37-3-65, patients found in any county in the service region of the hospital designated by the department. Any other facility within the State of Georgia may be so designated by the department at the request of or with the consent of the governing officers of the facility.    History.  Code 1933,  88-505.1, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1.  
 Proceedings for a court ordered evaluation may be initiated in the following manner:    Any person may file an application executed under oath with the community mental health center for a court ordered evaluation of a person located within that county who is alleged by such application to be a mentally ill person requiring involuntary treatment. Upon the filing of such application, the community mental health center shall make a preliminary investigation and, if the investigation shows that there is probable cause to believe that such allegation is true, it shall file a petition with the court in the county where the patient is located seeking an involuntary admission for evaluation; and   Any person may file with the court a petition executed under oath alleging that a person within the county is a mentally ill person requiring involuntary treatment. The petition must be accompanied by the certificate of a physician or psychologist stating that he has examined the patient within the preceding five days and has found that the patient may be a mentally ill person requiring involuntary treatment and that a full evaluation of the patient is necessary.     History.  Code 1933,  88-505.2, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1982, p. 3,  37; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  12; Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  17.2.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which amends this Code section, provides, in  19.1, not codified by the General Assembly, that the amendment is repealed on June 30, 1999; however, Ga. L. 1998, p. 870,  1, struck  19.1 of Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which would have repealed the 1993 amendment to this Code section.  
  The court shall review the petition filed under Code Section 37-3-61 and, if it finds reasonable cause to believe that the patient may be a mentally ill person requiring involuntary treatment, the court shall hold a full and fair hearing on the petition no sooner than ten days and no later than 15 days after such petition is filed. Within five days after the filing of such petition, the court shall serve notice of the hearing upon the patient and his representatives and upon the petitioner. Representatives for the patient shall be appointed pursuant to Code Section 37-3-147, provided that the court shall designate the second representative or, in the absence of designation of one representative by the patient, both representatives; and, in the absence of such representatives or if the department is the guardian, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem who is not the department. The notice required by this Code section shall include the time and place of the hearing; notice of the patients right to counsel, that the patient or his representatives may apply for court appointed counsel if the patient cannot afford counsel, and that the court will appoint counsel unless the patient indicates in writing that he does not wish to be represented by counsel; and notice that the patient may waive his rights to a hearing under this Code section. A copy of the petition filed under Code Section 37-3-61 shall be attached to the notice. The patient shall have a right to counsel. If the patient is unable to afford counsel, the court shall appoint counsel for the patient unless the patient indicates in writing that he does not desire to be represented by counsel. The hearing may be waived by the patient after appointment or waiver of counsel.   After a full and fair hearing or, if the hearing is waived, after a full review of the evidence, if the court is satisfied that immediate evaluation is necessary, the court shall issue an order to any peace officer to deliver the patient forthwith to the evaluating facility designated by the department to admit persons ordered by that court to be evaluated.     History.  Code 1933,  88-505.3, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1.    Cross references.    Guardians of incapacitated adults, T. 29, C. 5.  
 Any person who is brought to an evaluating facility under Code Section 37-3-43 or under a court order as provided in Code Section 37-3-62 shall be received for evaluation and such treatment as is indicated by good medical practice.    History.  Code 1933,  88-505.4, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1.    Law reviews.    For note, Mental Health Commitment Procedures in Georgia, see 3 Ga. St. B.J. 230 (1966).  
  A patient who has been admitted to an evaluating facility pursuant to Code Section 37-3-43, 37-3-63, or subparagraph (a)(3)(B) of Code Section 37-3-81.1 may be detained for a period not to exceed five days, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays excluded. The patient shall be discharged upon a finding that the patient is not a mentally ill person requiring involuntary treatment or upon a finding and certification that the patient meets all of the outpatient treatment requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (c) of Code Section 37-3-90, in which event a patient meeting those outpatient treatment requirements shall be discharged under the conditions provided in Code Section 37-3-91 but, in any event, upon the expiration of the five-day evaluation period unless:   Within that period:   The patient is admitted as a voluntary patient under Code Section 37-3-20; or   The patient is admitted for involuntary inpatient treatment under Code Section 37-3-81; or     The patient is under criminal charges, notice of which has been given in writing to the facility, in which case the provisions of Code Section 37-3-95 shall apply.     If hospitalization appears desirable, the staff physicians or psychologists of the evaluating facility shall encourage the patient to apply for voluntary hospitalization unless the attending physician or treating psychologist finds that the patient is unable to understand the nature of voluntary hospitalization, that voluntary hospitalization would be harmful to the patient, or that the patient is determined to be a mentally ill person in need of involuntary treatment, which finding shall be entered in the patients record.   If, after evaluation of the patient, it is determined by the chief medical officer that proceedings for involuntary treatment of the patient should be initiated pursuant to Code Section 37-3-81 or pursuant to Part 4 of this article, the chief medical officer shall direct that an individualized service plan be developed for that patient during the five-day period that he is detained for evaluation in the facility.   Notice of the discharge shall be given to the patient and his representatives; to the person who filed the petition; if the patient was admitted to the evaluating facility from an emergency receiving facility under Code Section 37-3-43, to the physician or psychologist who executed the certificate or to the court which issued the order pursuant to Code Section 37-3-41; if the patient was under criminal charges of which the facility received written notification, by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery to the law enforcement agency originally having custody of the patient; and, if the patient was admitted to the evaluating facility under Code Section 37-3-62, to the court that ordered the evaluation.     History.  Code 1933,  88-505.5, 88-505.6, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Ga. L. 1977, p. 1293,  9; Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1986, p. 1098,  3; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  13; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1902,  4; Ga. L. 1996, p. 6,  37; Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589,  3.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589,  16, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that the amendment to this Code section is applicable with respect to notices delivered on or after July 1, 2000.    Law reviews.    For comment advocating legislative determination of parental liability for costs of institutional custody of child involuntarily committed to a mental health facility in response to criminal behavior in light of Treglown v. Department of Health & Social Servs., 38 Wis. 2d 317, 156 N.W.2d 363 (1968), see 19 Mercer L. Rev. 457 (1968).  
 Any patient admitted to an evaluating facility may apply to the chief medical officer of that facility for transfer at his own expense to any other approved evaluating facility. If the evaluating facility to which transfer is requested agrees to admit the patient, and if the patient is able to pay for evaluation at such facility, he shall be transferred forthwith. In such case, Code Section 37-3-64 shall apply; and the time periods specified shall be counted from the date of admission to the evaluating facility to which the patient is transferred. Notice of the transfer shall be given to the patients representatives; to the person who filed the original petition, if any; if the patient was admitted to the evaluating facility from an emergency receiving facility under Code Section 37-3-43, to the physician or psychologist who executed the certificate or to the court which issued the order pursuant to Code Section 37-3-41; if the patient was under criminal charges of which the facility received written notification, by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery to the law enforcement agency originally having custody of the patient; and, if the patient was admitted to the evaluating facility under Code Section 37-3-62, to the court that ordered the evaluation.    History.  Code 1933,  88-505.7, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1902,  5; Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589,  3.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589,  16, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that the amendment to this Code section is applicable with respect to notices delivered on or after July 1, 2000.  
 Any state owned or state operated facility may be designated by the department as a treatment facility. The department shall maintain a treatment facility at each regional hospital which shall accept patients found in any county in the service region of the hospital. Any other facility within the State of Georgia may be so designated by the department at the request of or with the consent of the governing officers of the facility.    History.  Ga. L. 1958, p. 697,  5; Ga. L. 1960, p. 837,  5; Code 1933,  35-227, enacted by Ga. L. 1963, p. 528,  1; Code 1933,  88-505, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Code 1933,  88-506.2, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Code 1933,  88-506.1, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1986, p. 1098,  4.  
  At those hearings required under subsection (c) of Code Section 37-3-81 and subsection (a) of Code Section 37-3-92, the court shall determine whether the patient is a mentally ill person requiring involuntary treatment and, if so, whether the patient is an inpatient or outpatient and, unless otherwise provided in this subsection, the type of involuntary treatment the patient should be ordered to obtain. At such hearing, if the court determines:   That the patient is not a mentally ill person requiring involuntary treatment, the court shall order that the patient be immediately discharged;   That the patient is an outpatient, the court shall further determine, based upon either the individualized service plan required to be prepared under subsection (c) of Code Section 37-3-64 or subsection (b) of Code Section 37-3-91 or the individualized service plan proposed by the physician or psychologist chosen by the patient, whether there is available outpatient treatment for the patient which meets the requirements of the plan chosen by the court and whether the patient will likely obtain that treatment so as to minimize the likelihood of the patients becoming an inpatient. If the court determines that there is such available outpatient treatment which the patient will likely obtain so as to minimize the likelihood of the patients becoming an inpatient, then the court shall order the patient to obtain that treatment and shall discharge the patient subject to such order;   That the patient is an outpatient who does not meet the requirements for discharge under paragraph (2) of this subsection and:   The patient has been admitted to either an evaluating or treatment facility and there received an evaluation within 45 days prior to the date of the hearing under this Code section, the court shall order that the patient be discharged; or   The patient has not been admitted to either an evaluating or treatment facility and there received an evaluation within 45 days prior to the date of the hearing under this Code section, the court shall order that the patient be admitted to an evaluating facility, and this chapter shall thereafter apply to that patient as though that patient had been ordered by a court to be admitted to that facility pursuant to Code Section 37-3-62; or     That the patient is an inpatient, the court shall order that the patient shall be transported to a treatment facility where the patient shall be admitted for care and treatment, which order may also require that a period of such inpatient treatment be followed by available outpatient treatment if there is such outpatient treatment which will meet the requirements of the patients individualized service plan and the patient will likely obtain the treatment so as to minimize the likelihood of the patients becoming an inpatient.     If the court at a hearing under subsection (a) of this Code section concludes that the patient is a mentally ill person requiring involuntary treatment, it shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law in support of that conclusion as part of its final order.   The court may order the hospitalization of any patient pursuant to paragraph (4) of subsection (a) of this Code section for any period not to exceed six months, subject to the power of the chief medical officer to discharge the patient under subsection (b) of Code Section 37-3-85. If continued hospitalization is necessary at the end of that period, the chief medical officer shall apply for an order authorizing such continued hospitalization under Code Section 37-3-83.   The court may order the patient to obtain available outpatient treatment under the additional conditions specified in Code Sections 37-3-93 and 37-3-94.    History. Code 1981,  37-3-81.1 , enacted by Ga. L. 1986, p. 1098,  4; Ga. L. 1987, p. 3,  37; Ga. L. 1987, p. 797,  1; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  15.    Code Commission notes.    Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 1986, Sections was substituted for Section in subsection (d).   Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-3 , in 1987, the amendment of subparagraph (a)(3)(A) of this Code section by Ga. L. 1987, p. 3,  27, was treated as impliedly repealed and superseded by Ga. L. 1987, p. 797,  5, due to irreconcilable conflict. See County of Butts v. Strahan, 151 Ga. 417 (1921); Keener v. McDougall, 232 Ga. 273 (1974).    Law reviews.    For comment, 1986 Amendments to Georgias Mental Health Statutes: The Latest Attempt to Provide a Solution to the Problem of the Chronically Mentally Ill, see 36 Emory L.J. 1313 (1987).  
  The patient may be detained at a facility beyond the evaluation period unless voluntary hospitalization is sought under subparagraph (a)(1)(A) of Code Section 37-3-64 only upon the recommendation of the chief medical officer of an evaluating facility where the patient has been examined under Part 2 of this article, which recommendation is supported by the opinions of two physicians or a physician and a psychologist who have personally examined the patient within the preceding five days and who agree that the patient is a mentally ill person requiring involuntary treatment but who does not meet the outpatient treatment requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (c) of Code Section 37-3-90. Such recommendation of the chief medical officer and the opinions of the physicians or physician and psychologist shall be entered on a certificate. The certificate shall be filed along with a petition for a hearing in the court of the county in which the patient is being detained for evaluation. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit a physician or psychologist or a chief medical officer who has previously executed any other certificate authorized by the provisions of this chapter from executing a certificate provided for in this Code section for the same or any other patient. The certificate and petition shall be filed within five days, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays excluded, after the patient is admitted to a facility for evaluation under Code Section 37-3-63. Such filing shall authorize detention of the patient by the facility pending completion of a full and fair hearing under this Code section. Copies of the certificate shall be served on the patient and his representatives within five days after the certificate is filed and shall be accompanied by:   A notice that a hearing will be held and the time and place thereof;   A notice that the patient has a right to counsel, that the patient or his representatives may apply immediately to the court to have counsel appointed if the patient cannot afford counsel, and that in such case the court will appoint counsel for the patient unless the patient indicates in writing that he does not desire to be represented by counsel;   A copy of the individualized service plan developed by the facility under this chapter shall be sent to the patient and shall be sent to the patients representative if requested by such representative. Notice of the right to receive such plan shall be given to the representatives at the time the service plan is sent to the patient;   A notice that the patient has a right to be examined by a physician or psychologist of his own choice at his own expense and to have that physician or psychologist submit a suggested service plan for the patient which conforms with the requirements of paragraph (9) of Code Section 37-3-1; and   A notice that the patient may waive in writing the hearing described in subsection (c) of this Code section.     If the hearing is waived, the certificate shall serve as authorization for the patient to begin treatment under the terms of the individualized service plan; and the chief medical officer of the facility where the patient is located shall be responsible for the supervision of the service plan.   In any case in which a patient is retained in an evaluating facility pursuant to a petition filed under subsection (a) of this Code section, the court shall hold a full and fair hearing as provided in Code Section 37-3-81.1 unless the hearing is waived in writing by the patient. The hearing shall be held no sooner than seven days and no later than 12 days after the petition is filed with the court.     History.  Ga. L. 1857, p. 123,  2; Code 1863,  1297, 1298; Code 1868,  1378, 1379; Code 1873,  1357, 1358; Code 1882,  1357, 1358; Civil Code 1895,  1435, 1437; Civil Code 1910,  1601, 1603; Code 1933,  35-228, 35-230; Ga. L. 1958, p. 697,  12; Ga. L. 1960, p. 837,  12; Code 1933,  88-512, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Code 1933,  88-522, enacted by Ga. L. 1965, p. 490,  1; Code 1933,  88-506.3, 88-506.4, 88-506.8, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Code 1933,  88-506.2, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1979, p. 723,  7; Ga. L. 1982, p. 3,  37; Ga. L. 1982, p. 937,  6, 8; Ga. L. 1983, p. 3,  28; Ga. L. 1985, p. 1024,  2; Ga. L. 1986, p. 1098,  4; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  14; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1902,  6; Ga. L. 1996, p. 6,  37.    Cross references.    Criminal penalty for malicious confinement of sane person in asylum,  16-5-43 .    Law reviews.    For article comparing hospitalization of mentally ill under former Code 1933, Ch. 49-6, to present procedures under this chapter, see 23 Ga. B.J. 191 (1960).   For article discussing the development and practice of committing the mentally ill, see 20 J. of Pub. L. 3 (1971).  
  If at any time during a period of involuntary outpatient treatment, including but not limited to interim outpatient treatment arranged pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 37-3-91, the physician or psychologist in charge of the patients outpatient service plan determines that, because of a change in the patients condition, the least restrictive alternative which would accomplish the treatment goals is hospitalization of the patient, then that physician or psychologist may execute a certificate under the conditions specified in subsection (a) of Code Section 37-3-41. That certificate shall have the same duration and effect as a certificate issued pursuant to subsection (a) of Code Section 37-3-41.   If at any time during a period of involuntary outpatient treatment, including but not limited to interim outpatient treatment arranged pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 37-3-91, the patient fails without good cause or refuses to comply with the outpatient service plan, the physician or psychologist in charge of the outpatient service plan or that physicians or psychologists designee may petition the court originally approving the involuntary treatment of the patient or the court of the county in which the patient is a resident or where the patient may be found for an order authorizing a peace officer to take the patient and immediately deliver the patient to the community mental health center in charge of the patients outpatient service plan, if a physician or psychologist is available there to examine the patient, or to the nearest emergency receiving facility serving the county in which the patient is found. If in the discretion of the court such an order is issued, the patient shall be delivered to the facility and may be given such emergency or other medical treatment as is indicated by good medical practice. The patient must be released from the custody of the community mental health center within four hours and from the custody of the emergency receiving facility within 48 hours after being taken into the custody of that center or facility unless the examining physician or psychologist concludes that, because of a change in the patients condition, the least restrictive alternative which would accomplish the treatment goals is hospitalization of the patient. The physician or a psychologist may then execute a certificate under the conditions specified therefor in subsection (a) of Code Section 37-3-41, if the examination is done in a community mental health center, or under the conditions specified therefor in Code Section 37-3-43, if the examination is done in an emergency receiving facility. That certificate shall have the same duration and effect as a certificate issued pursuant to subsection (a) of Code Section 37-3-41 or Code Section 37-3-43, as applicable.   With regard to a patient required to obtain involuntary outpatient treatment, the court may issue any order authorized under subsection (b) of Code Section 37-3-41, but if the court knows that patient is required to obtain involuntary outpatient treatment, that court may issue such order only upon the courts determination, in addition to any other conditions for the issuance of that order, that such patient has not complied with the involuntary outpatient treatment or that the patient reasonably appears to be an inpatient.   Any patient detained in a facility pursuant to this Code section shall not be required during that period of detention to obtain outpatient treatment required by any order which is then in effect and which was issued pursuant to this chapter. That order shall otherwise remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the patients detention in or release from the facility unless that facility obtains a court order authorized by Code Section 37-3-81.1 which expressly supersedes the prior order.     History.  Code 1933,  88-506.3, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1981, p. 787,  1; Ga. L. 1982, p. 3,  37; Ga. L. 1985, p. 1024,  3; Ga. L. 1986, p. 1098,  4; Ga. L. 1987, p. 797,  2; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  16; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1902,  7.    Law reviews.    For comment, 1986 Amendments to Georgias Mental Health Statutes: The Latest Attempt to Provide a Solution to the Problem of the Chronically Mentally Ill, see 36 Emory L.J. 1313 (1987).  
  If it is necessary to continue involuntary treatment of a hospitalized person who has mental illness beyond the end of the period during which the treatment facility is currently authorized under this chapter to retain such person, the chief medical officer prior to the expiration of the period shall seek an order authorizing such continued treatment in the manner provided in this Code section. The chief medical officer may seek such an order authorizing continued involuntary treatment involving inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, or both under the procedures of this Code section and Code Section 37-3-93.   If the chief medical officer finds that continued involuntary treatment is necessary for a person who was admitted while serving a criminal sentence but whose sentence is about to expire or for a person who was hospitalized while under the jurisdiction of a juvenile court but who is about to reach the age of 17, the chief medical officer shall seek an order authorizing such continued treatment in the manner provided in this Code section; and this chapter shall apply fully to such a person after that time.   A Committee for Continued Involuntary Treatment Review shall be established by the chief medical officer of each hospital and shall consist of not less than five persons of professional status, at least one of whom shall be a physician and at least two others of whom shall be either physicians or psychologists. The committee may conduct its meetings with a quorum of any three members, at least one of whom shall be a physician. The function of this committee shall be to review and evaluate the updated individualized service plan of each person who has mental illness of the hospital and to report to the chief medical officer its recommendations concerning the persons need for continued involuntary treatment. No person who has responsibility for the care and treatment of the person for whom continued involuntary treatment is requested shall serve on any committee which reviews such persons case.   If the chief medical officer desires to seek an order under this Code section authorizing continued involuntary treatment for up to 12 months beyond the expiration of the currently authorized period of hospitalization, he or she shall first file a notice of such intended action with the Committee for Continued Involuntary Treatment Review, which notice shall be forwarded to the committee at least 40 days prior to the expiration of that period.   If, within 40 days of the expiration of an order for involuntary treatment relating to a person who has mental illness for whom discharge has been planned, the chief medical officer determines discharge would now be unsafe, the chief medical officer may execute a certificate to be filed with a petition for continued involuntary treatment pursuant to this chapter. The certificate shall indicate the basis for the determination that the person is a person who has mental illness requiring involuntary treatment as defined in paragraph (12) of Code Section 37-3-1, the reason the process for obtaining an order for continued hospitalization was not commenced 40 days or more prior to the expiration date, and the reason continued hospitalization is the least restrictive alternative available. Referral to the Committee for Continued Involuntary Treatment Review is not required prior to the filing of a certificate and petition under this subsection. Under this subsection, the chief medical officer shall serve the petition for an order authorizing continued involuntary treatment along with copies of the updated individualized service plan on the Office of State Administrative Hearings and shall also serve such petition along with a copy of the updated individualized service plan on the person who has mental illness. A copy of the petition shall be served on the persons representatives. The petition shall contain a plain and simple statement that the person who has mental illness or his or her representatives may file a request for a hearing with a hearing examiner appointed pursuant to Code Section 37-3-84 within ten days after service of the petition, that the person who has mental illness has a right to counsel at the hearing, that the person who has mental illness or his or her representatives may apply immediately to the court to have counsel appointed if such person cannot afford counsel, and that the court will appoint counsel for the person who has mental illness unless the person indicates in writing that he or she does not desire to be represented by counsel or has made his or her own arrangements for counsel. If, following the filing of the certificate and petition under this subsection, the order authorizing the treatment facility to retain the person who has mental illness expires, such facility shall be authorized to retain the person for continued involuntary treatment until a ruling is issued. If at any time the chief medical officer determines that the person who has mental illness, after consideration of the recommendations of the treatment team, is no longer a person who has mental illness requiring involuntary inpatient treatment, the person shall be immediately discharged from involuntary inpatient treatment pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 37-3-85.   Within five days of the date of the notice, the committee shall meet to consider the matter of the chief medical officers intention to seek an order for continued involuntary treatment. Prior to the committees meeting, the person who has mental illness and his or her representatives shall be notified of the following: the purpose of such meeting, the time and place of such meeting, their right to be present at such meeting, and their right to present any alternative individualized service plan secured at their expense. In those cases in which the person will not or cannot appear, at least one member of the committee will make all reasonable efforts to interview the person who has mental illness and report to the committee. The physician or psychologist proposing the treatment plan shall present an updated individualized service plan for the person to the committee. The committee shall report to the chief medical officer or his or her designee, other than the physician or psychologist proposing the treatment plan or a member of the committee, its written recommendations along with any minority recommendations which may also be submitted. Such report shall specify whether or not the person has a mental illness requiring involuntary treatment and whether continued hospitalization is the least restrictive alternative available.   If, after considering the committees recommendations and minority recommendations, if any, the chief medical officer or his or her designee, other than the attending physician or a member of the committee, determines that the person is not a person who has mental illness requiring involuntary treatment, the person shall be immediately discharged from involuntary hospitalization pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 37-3-85.   If, after considering the committees recommendations and minority recommendations, if any, the chief medical officer or his or her designee, other than the attending physician or member of the committee, determines that the person has a mental illness requiring involuntary treatment, he or she shall, within five days after receiving the committees recommendations, serve a petition for an order authorizing continued involuntary treatment along with copies of the updated individualized service plan and the committees report on the Office of State Administrative Hearings and shall also serve such petition along with a copy of the updated individualized service plan on the person who has mental illness. A copy of the petition shall be served on the persons representatives. The petition shall contain a plain and simple statement that such person or his or her representatives may file a request for a hearing with a hearing examiner appointed pursuant to Code Section 37-3-84 within ten days after service of the petition, that the person has a right to counsel at the hearing, that the person or his or her representatives may apply immediately to the court to have counsel appointed if the person cannot afford counsel, and that the court will appoint counsel for the person unless the person indicates in writing that he or she does not desire to be represented by counsel or has made his or her own arrangements for counsel.   If a hearing is not requested by the person with mental illness or his or her representatives within ten days of service of the petition on the person and his or her representatives, the hearing examiner shall make an independent review of the committees report, the updated individualized service plan, and the petition. If he or she concludes that continued involuntary treatment may not be necessary or if he or she finds any member of the committee so concluded, then he or she shall order that a hearing be held pursuant to subsection (j) of this Code section. If he or she concludes that continued involuntary treatment is necessary, then he or she shall order continued involuntary treatment involving inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, or both for a period not to exceed one year.   If a hearing is requested within ten days of service of the petition on the person who has mental illness and his or her representatives or if the hearing examiner orders a hearing pursuant to subsection (i) or (k) of this Code section, the hearing examiner shall set a time and place for the hearing to be held within 25 days of the time the hearing examiner receives the request but no later than the day on which the current order of involuntary inpatient treatment expires, unless such hearing occurs after the expiration of the order pursuant to subsection (e) of this Code section. Notice of the hearing shall be served on the person, his or her representatives, the treatment facility, and, when appropriate, the counsel for the person. The hearing examiner, within his or her discretion, may grant a change of venue for the convenience of parties or witnesses. Such hearing shall be a full and fair hearing, except that the persons attorney, when the person is unable to attend the hearing and is incapable of consenting to a waiver of his or her appearance, may move that the person not be required to appear; however, the record shall reflect the reasons for the hearing examiners actions. After such hearing, the hearing examiner may issue any order which the court is authorized to issue under Code Section 37-3-81.1 and subject to the limitations of Code Section 37-3-81.1, provided that a person who is an outpatient who does not meet the requirements for discharge under paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of Code Section 37-3-81.1 shall nevertheless be discharged; and provided, further, that the hearing examiner may order the persons continued inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, or both for a period not to exceed one year, subject to the power to discharge the person under subsection (b) of Code Section 37-3-85 or under Code Section 37-3-94. In the event that an order approving continued hospitalization is entered for a person who was admitted while serving a criminal sentence under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections, but whose sentence is about to expire, the chief medical officer shall serve a copy of such order upon the Department of Corrections within five working days of the issuance of the order.   The hearing examiner for a person who has mental illness who was admitted under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court and who reaches the age of 17 without having had a full and fair hearing pursuant to any provisions of this chapter or without having waived such hearing shall order that a hearing be held pursuant to subsection (j) of this Code section.     History.  Code 1933,  88-506.6, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Code 1933,  88-506.5, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1979, p. 723,  9; Ga. L. 1986, p. 1098,  4; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  17; Ga. L. 2016, p. 313,  2/SB 271; Ga. L. 2017, p. 774,  37/HB 323.    Cross references.    Criminal penalty for malicious confinement of sane person in asylum,  16-5-43 .    Code Commission notes.    Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 2016, subsection (j) was substituted for subsection (i) in the second sentence of subsection (i).    Law reviews.    For survey article on criminal law and procedure, see 34 Mercer L. Rev. 89 (1982).  
  One or more hearing examiners shall be appointed by the Justices of the Supreme Court to hold the hearings under Code Section 37-3-83. Such hearing examiners shall be members of the State Bar of Georgia and shall be compensated by the department.   The hearing examiners shall have the authority to:   Administer oaths and affirmations;   Sign and issue subpoenas;   Rule upon offers of proof;   Regulate the course of the hearing;   Provide for the taking of testimony by deposition;   Reprimand or exclude from the hearing any person for any indecorous or improper conduct committed in the presence of the hearing examiner; and   Make all appropriate orders authorized by this chapter.     If a subpoena issued by the hearing examiner is disobeyed, the hearing examiner may apply to the superior court of the county in which the hearing is held for an order requiring obedience. Failure to comply with such order shall be cause for punishment as for contempt of court.   In the event a patient desires counsel in a hearing before the hearing examiner but cannot afford such counsel, the hearing examiner shall apply to the court of the county in which the hearing is held and that court shall appoint counsel for the patient. Payment for such representation shall be made by the county of the patients legal residence.     History.  Code 1933,  88-506.5, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Code 1933,  88-506.4, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1979, p. 723,  8; Ga. L. 1986, p. 1098,  4.  
  Each individualized service plan for a patient receiving involuntary inpatient treatment shall be reviewed at regular intervals to determine the patients progress toward the stated goals and objectives of the plan and to determine whether the plan should be modified because of the patients present condition. These reviews should be based upon relevant progress notes in the patients clinical record and upon other related information; and input from the patient should be obtained and utilized where feasible.   Any time a patient receiving involuntary inpatient treatment is found by the chief medical officer, after consideration of the recommendations of the treatment team, no longer to be a mentally ill person requiring involuntary inpatient treatment, the chief medical officer may:   Discharge the patient from involuntary outpatient or inpatient treatment, or both, subject to the conditions of Code Section 37-3-95;   Discharge the patient from involuntary inpatient treatment and require that the patient obtain available outpatient treatment for the remaining period the patient was to have been required to obtain inpatient treatment, as long as the patient then meets the standards for being discharged to outpatient treatment under paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of Code Section 37-3-81.1 and subject to the conditions of Code Section 37-3-95; or   Transfer the patient to voluntary status at the patients request, as provided in Code Section 37-3-24.     The chief medical officer may designate in writing another physician, who may be the attending physician, to make these discharge decisions.  If the decision of the designee is contrary to the recommendations of the treatment team, the issue must go to the chief medical officer for final determination.  Where the treatment team and the designee concur, the decision of the designee will be final.   Notice of the discharge or the transfer of status shall be given to the patient and his representatives; if the patients hospitalization was authorized by order of a court, to the court which entered such order; and, if the patient was under criminal charges of which the facility received written notification, by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery to the law enforcement agency originally having custody of the patient.     History.  Ga. L. 1874, p. 91,  1; Code 1882,  1344a; Ga. L. 1884-85, p. 61,  1; Civil Code 1895,  1416; Civil Code 1910,  1578; Ga. L. 1931, p. 7,  41; Code 1933,  35-206; Ga. L. 1953, Nov.-Dec. Sess., p. 308,  1, 2; Ga. L. 1958, p. 697,  11; Ga. L. 1960, p. 837,  11; Code 1933,  88-511, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Code 1933,  88-506.7, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Ga. L. 1977, p. 1293,  10; Code 1933,  88-506.6, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1986, p. 1098,  4; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  3; Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589,  3.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589,  16, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that the amendment to this Code section is applicable with respect to notices delivered on or after July 1, 2000.  
  When a physician or psychologist at a facility or on behalf of a facility determines and certifies under this article that there is reason to believe a patient admitted to or examined at the facility is a mentally ill person requiring involuntary treatment, that physician or psychologist shall further determine and certify whether there is reason to believe the patient is:   An inpatient or outpatient; and   If an outpatient, whether there is available outpatient treatment.     Unless otherwise specifically provided, the determination and certification as to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a) of this Code section shall be made within the time period required for determining whether a patient is a mentally ill person requiring involuntary treatment, except that if such determination is made by a physician or psychologist at or on behalf of a community mental health center, the determination and certification shall be made within four hours after the patient is examined by the physician or psychologist.   A person determined and certified to be:   An outpatient; and   A person for whom there is available outpatient treatment  shall be considered to be in need of involuntary outpatient treatment and not involuntary inpatient treatment for purposes of further proceedings under this article until such time as that persons status is determined to be otherwise pursuant to those proceedings.      A person determined and certified to be a mentally ill person requiring involuntary treatment who does not meet all of the requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (c) of this Code section shall be considered to be in need of involuntary inpatient treatment and not involuntary outpatient treatment for purposes of further proceedings under this article until such time as that persons status is determined to be otherwise pursuant to those proceedings.   Any minor admitted voluntarily shall be released at any time after written request is made by the minors parent or legal guardian.    History. Code 1981,  37-3-90 , enacted by Ga. L. 1986, p. 1098,  5; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1902,  8; Ga. L. 1995, p. 612,  1.    Law reviews.    For comment, 1986 Amendments to Georgias Mental Health Statutes: The Latest Attempt to Provide a Solution to the Problem of the Chronically Mentally Ill, see 36 Emory L.J. 1313 (1987).   For note on the 1995 amendment of this Code section, see 12 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 258 (1995).  
  A person who is in the physical custody of a community mental health center, emergency receiving facility, or evaluating facility and who is determined by a physician or a psychologist, at or on behalf of that facility, to meet all of the outpatient treatment requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (c) of Code Section 37-3-90 shall be discharged from that facility as provided in this Code section pending a full and fair hearing or waiver thereof under Code Section 37-3-92. That discharge from a community mental health center shall occur within four hours after the patient is examined by a physician or a psychologist at or on behalf of that center. That discharge from an emergency receiving facility shall occur within 48 hours after the patients admission thereto. That discharge from an evaluating facility shall occur no later than the expiration of the five-day evaluation period established under Code Section 37-3-64.   Prior to a psychologists discharging the patient under subsection (a) of this Code section, the treating psychologist shall obtain the concurrence of a physician.  In addition, within the time period the facility is authorized to retain the patient, the facility at which or on behalf of which the patient was examined, which facility shall be the referring facility for purposes of this part, shall prepare an individualized service plan for the patient. This plan shall be prepared in consultation with the facility at which available outpatient treatment is to be provided the patient, which facility shall be the receiving facility for purposes of this part. The referring facility shall also make arrangements with the receiving facility to provide interim outpatient treatment, in accordance with the individualized service plan, to the patient pending the full and fair hearing or waiver thereof. Nothing in this Code section shall prevent a referring facility for a patient from also being the receiving facility for that patient.   A patient for whom interim outpatient treatment is arranged pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section shall obtain that treatment or be subject to the provisions of Code Section 37-3-82. Written notice of the time, date, place, and address for that interim outpatient treatment shall be provided the patient prior to the patients discharge, along with written notification that if the patient does not comply with the interim outpatient treatment or attend or waive a hearing, the time and date of which hearing will later be provided the patient, the patient may be involuntarily admitted for examination, treatment, or both. Notice of the discharge shall be provided to persons other than the patient in the same manner and under the same conditions as required by subsection (c) of Code Section 37-3-43 and subsection (d) of Code Section 37-3-64, and that notice shall also include a notice regarding the interim outpatient treatment and the consequences if the patient does not obtain the treatment or attend or waive the hearing.   Within three days after a referring facility has discharged a patient pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section, that facility shall transmit to the receiving facility a copy of the referring facilitys examination report, individualized service plan, and such other necessary clinical information the referring facility may have regarding the patient. Within five days after receiving such report, plan, and information, the receiving facility shall petition the court of the county in which the patient is located for a full and fair hearing pursuant to Code Section 37-3-92 and include with the petition a copy of the examination report, the individualized service plan, and the address to which the patient was discharged by the referring facility.   Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this Code section, a patient detained in a treatment facility pursuant to a certificate and petition under Code Section 37-3-81, whether or not that patient is subsequently determined by that facility during the time of such detention to meet all of the outpatient treatment requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (c) of Code Section 37-3-90, may not be discharged from that facility until a full and fair hearing is held pursuant to Code Section 37-3-81.1, which hearing may not be waived by any patient so determined to meet all of such outpatient treatment requirements.    History. Code 1981,  37-3-91 , enacted by Ga. L. 1986, p. 1098,  5; Ga. L. 1987, p. 797,  3, 4; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1902,  9; Ga. L. 1996, p. 6,  37.  
  Except when a hearing is waived as provided in this subsection, within 30 days after the filing of the petition under subsection (d) of Code Section 37-3-91, the court shall hold a full and fair hearing. At least ten days prior to that hearing, the court shall have served on the patient and the patients representatives the same notices and information required by paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (a) of Code Section 37-3-81, as well as a notice that the patient may waive in writing the hearing but if the patient does not either attend or waive the hearing the court may order the patient to be taken into custody, hospitalized, evaluated, and treated. The patient and representatives shall have the rights specified in those notices. Hearings held pursuant to this subsection shall be held as provided in Code Section 37-3-81.1, and the court holding the hearing may issue any order authorized by and subject to the limitations of that Code Section 37-3-81.1.   If the patient is notified of the hearing as required under subsection (a) of this Code section and does not appear at or waive that hearing, absent a showing of good cause for not appearing, the court may issue an order commanding any peace officer to take such person into custody and deliver that person to an emergency receiving facility or the referring facility if there is a physician or psychologist available there, and this chapter shall thereafter apply to that patient as though the patient had been admitted to that facility pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 37-3-41.   If the hearing is waived as provided in subsection (a) of this Code section, that hearing shall not be held but the court shall order the patient to obtain available outpatient treatment under the individualized service plan submitted with the petition for hearing.    History. Code 1981,  37-3-92 , enacted by Ga. L. 1986, p. 1098,  5; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1902,  10.  
  Pursuant to Code Section 37-3-81.1 or Code Section 37-3-92, the court may order the patient to obtain available outpatient treatment for any period not to exceed one year, but the total period of involuntary treatment required by such order, including inpatient treatment within the limitations of Code Section 37-3-81.1, shall not exceed one year.   If it is necessary to continue available outpatient treatment beyond the period authorized pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section, at least 60 days prior to the expiration of that period the physician or psychologist responsible for that treatment or the person responsible for the patients treatment under the direction and with approval of the physician or psychologist shall:   Update the patients individualized service plan;   Prepare a report containing evidence that the patient meets all the requirements for available outpatient treatment under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (c) of Code Section 37-3-90; and   Petition the hearing examiners appointed to hold hearings under Code Section 37-3-83 for an order requiring the patient to obtain available outpatient treatment beyond the period previously ordered for the patient.  The petition shall contain a plain and simple statement that the patient or the patients representatives may file a request for a hearing with a hearing examiner appointed to hold hearings pursuant to Code Section 37-3-83 within 15 days after service of the petition, that the patient has a right to counsel at the hearing, that the patient or the patients representatives may apply immediately to the court to have counsel appointed if the patient cannot afford counsel, and that the court will appoint counsel for the patient unless the patient indicates in writing that the patient does not desire to be represented by counsel or has made the patients own arrangements for counsel.      If a hearing is not requested by the patient or the representatives within 15 days of service of the petition on the patient and the patients representatives, the hearing examiner shall make an independent review of the report, the updated individualized service plan, and the petition. If the hearing examiner concludes from that review that the patient is no longer a mentally ill person requiring involuntary treatment, then that hearing examiner shall order that a hearing be held pursuant to subsection (d) of this Code section. If the hearing examiner concludes that the patient meets all the requirements for available outpatient treatment under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (c) of Code Section 37-3-90, then the hearing examiner shall order continued outpatient treatment for a period not to exceed one year.   If the hearing examiner orders a hearing pursuant to subsection (c) or (e) of this Code section or if a hearing is requested within 15 days of service of the petition on the patient and the patients representatives, the hearing examiner shall set a time and place for the hearing to be held within 25 days of the time the hearing examiner receives the request but in any event no later than the day on which the current order of involuntary outpatient treatment expires. Notice of the hearing shall be served on the patient, the patients representatives, the facility providing outpatient treatment for the patient, and, when appropriate, on counsel for the patient. The hearing examiner, within that persons discretion, may grant a change of venue for the convenience of parties or witnesses. Such hearing shall be a full and fair hearing. After such hearing, the hearing examiner may issue any order which the court is authorized to issue under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (a) of Code Section 37-3-81.1 and subject to the limitations of that Code section. If the patient does not appear at the hearing, absent a showing of good cause, the hearing examiner may issue any order the court is authorized to issue under subsection (b) of Code Section 37-3-92.   The hearing examiner for a patient who is ordered to obtain available outpatient treatment, who is under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, and who reaches the age of 17 without having had a full and fair hearing pursuant to any provisions of this article or without having waived such hearing shall order that a hearing be held pursuant to subsection (d) of this Code section.    History. Code 1981,  37-3-93 , enacted by Ga. L. 1986, p. 1098,  5; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  18; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1902,  11; Ga. L. 1996, p. 6,  37.    Law reviews.    For comment, 1986 Amendments to Georgias Mental Health Statutes: The Latest Attempt to Provide a Solution to the Problem of the Chronically Mentally Ill, see 36 Emory L.J. 1313 (1987).  
  Each individualized service plan for available outpatient treatment shall be reviewed at regular intervals to determine the patients progress toward the stated goals and objectives of the plan and to determine whether the plan should be modified because of the patients present condition. These reviews should be based upon relevant progress notes in the patients clinical record and upon other related information; and input from the patient should be obtained and utilized where feasible.   Any time a patient is found by the physician or psychologist in charge of the patients outpatient treatment no longer to be a mentally ill person requiring involuntary treatment, that physician or psychologist shall discharge the patient from further compliance with the treatment.   Notice of the discharge under subsection (b) of this Code section shall be given to the patient and his representatives; to the court which originally ordered such involuntary treatment; and, if the patient was under criminal charges of which the facility received written notification, by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery to the law enforcement agency originally having custody of the patient.    History. Code 1981,  37-3-94 , enacted by Ga. L. 1986, p. 1098,  5; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  19; Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589,  3.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589,  16, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that the amendment to this Code section is applicable with respect to notices delivered on or after July 1, 2000.  
 Notwithstanding any other provisions of any part of this article, a patient under criminal charges, notice of which has been given in writing to the facility, may only be discharged from the physical custody of a facility if the facility, by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery, provides written notification of the proposed discharge to the law enforcement agency originally having custody of the patient and the patient is discharged into the physical custody of a peace officer from that agency. That agency shall be required to assume such physical custody within five days after receipt in writing of the notification of proposed discharge.   History. Code 1981,  37-3-95 , enacted by Ga. L. 1986, p. 1098,  5; Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589,  3.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589,  16, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that the amendment to this Code section is applicable with respect to notices delivered on or after July 1, 2000.  
  The department may designate the state owned or state operated facility to which a patient is to be admitted under this chapter. The department may instead designate a private facility, approved under Code Section 37-3-6, to which the patient is to be admitted, if the department has obtained the prior agreement of the private facility and of the patient or his representatives.   A patient hospitalized in a state owned or state operated facility under this chapter may apply for transfer at his own expense to a private facility approved under Code Section 37-3-6 if he is able to pay for treatment at such private facility. If the private facility agrees to accept the patient, the department shall transfer the patient to that facility.   If a private facility requests the department to take custody of a patient who has been hospitalized therein under this chapter and if the patient meets the criteria for admission under this chapter, then the department shall accept the patient and designate the state owned or state operated facility to which the patient shall be admitted.   When the needs of the patient or efficient utilization of any facility so requires, a patient may be transferred from one facility to another. At the time of any such transfer, notice shall be given in writing to the patient and to his representatives and the patient shall be advised in writing of the reasons for his transfer. A voluntary patient may be transferred only with his consent.   A patient hospitalized in a private facility, approved under Code Section 37-3-6, or that patients representative may request that facility to transfer the patient to a state owned or operated facility. That private facility shall then request the department to take custody of the patient. If the patient meets the criteria for admission under this chapter, then the private facility shall transfer the patient and the department shall accept the patient and designate the state owned or operated facility to which the patient shall be admitted.     History.  Ga. L. 1958, p. 697,  10; Ga. L. 1960, p. 837,  10; Code 1933,  88-510, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Code 1933,  88-502.13, 88-508.6, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Code 1933,  88-507.5, 88-502.16, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1985, p. 873,  1.  
  The governing authority of the county where the patient is found or located shall arrange for initial emergency transport of a patient to an emergency receiving facility. Except as otherwise authorized under subsection (b) of this Code section, the governing authority of the county of the patients residence shall arrange for all required transportation for mental health purposes subsequent to the initial transport. The type of vehicle employed shall be in the discretion of the governing authority of the county, provided that, whenever possible, marked vehicles normally used for the transportation of criminals or those accused of crimes shall not be used for the transportation of patients. The court shall, upon the request of the community mental health center, order the sheriff to transport the patient in such manner as the patients condition demands. At any time the community mental health center is satisfied that the patient can be transported safely by family members or friends, such private transportation shall be encouraged and authorized. In nonemergency situations, no female patient shall be transported at any time without another female in attendance who is not a patient, unless such female patient is accompanied by her husband, father, adult brother, or adult son.   Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this Code section, when a patient is under the care of a facility, the facility shall have the discretion to determine the type of vehicle to safely transport the patient and to arrange for such transportation without the need to obtain the prior approval of the governing authority of the county of the patients residence, the court, or the community mental health center. This subsection shall not prevent the facility from requesting and receiving transportation services from the governing authority of the county of the patients residence and shall not relieve the county sheriff of the duty of providing transportation. Persons providing transportation are authorized to transport a patient from a sending facility to a receiving facility but shall not release the patient under any circumstances except into the custody of the receiving facility. The use of physical restraints to ensure the safe transport of the patient shall comply with the requirements of Code Section 37-3-165. When transportation is not provided by the county sheriff, the expense of such transportation shall not be billed to the county governing authority but may be billed to the patient and, unless agreed to in writing by the facility, shall not be billed to or considered an obligation of the facility.   Notwithstanding subsections (a) or (b) of this Code section, for initial transports to an emergency receiving facility initiated by a peace officer pursuant to Code Section 37-3-42, the emergency receiving facility shall coordinate all subsequent transports with the law enforcement agency employing such peace officer or a qualified private nonemergency transport provider or ambulance service.     History.  Ga. L. 1958, p. 697,  8; Ga. L. 1960, p. 837,  8; Code 1933,  88-508, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Code 1933,  88-502.14, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Code 1933,  88-502.17, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  17.3; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1067,  1; Ga. L. 2022, p. 26,  3-4/HB 1013.    The 2022 amendment,  effective July 1, 2022, added subsection (c).    Cross references.    Manner of marking of law enforcement and emergency vehicles,  40-8-90 et seq.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which amends this Code section, provides, in  19.1, not codified by the General Assembly, that the amendment is repealed on June 30, 1999; however, Ga. L. 1998, p. 870,  1, struck  19.1 of Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which would have repealed the 1993 amendment to this Code section.  
  If a patient ordered to be hospitalized pursuant to this chapter is eligible for hospital care or treatment by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or any other federal agency, the department shall transfer the patient to the custody of the nearest such agency with available bed space for diagnosis, care, or treatment. When any such patient is admitted under this Code section to any such hospital or institution within or outside the state, he shall be subject to the rules and regulations of such agency. Upon notification from the superintendent or the chief medical officer of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center for those patients therein who may require involuntary treatment pursuant to this chapter, the patient will be evaluated, while remaining in the physical custody of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, by the nearest emergency receiving facility. The superintendent and chief medical officer of any hospital or institution operated by such agency in which the individual is so hospitalized shall, with respect to such individual, be vested with the same powers and duties as the superintendent and chief medical officer of facilities within this state with respect to all matters under this chapter. Jurisdiction is retained in the appropriate courts of this state at any time to inquire into the mental condition of an individual so hospitalized to determine the necessity for continuance of his hospitalization and to order his release; and every transfer of a patient by the department pursuant to this Code section is so conditioned.   An order of a court of competent jurisdiction of another state, territory, or possession or of the District of Columbia authorizing hospitalization of a patient by any agency of the United States shall have the same force and effect as to the patient while in this state as in the jurisdiction in which is situated the court entering the order; and the courts of the state, territory, possession, or district issuing such order shall be deemed to have retained jurisdiction of the patient so hospitalized for the purpose of inquiring into his mental condition and determining the necessity for continuance of his hospitalization, as is provided in subsection (a) of this Code section with respect to patients ordered hospitalized by the courts of this state. Consent is given for the application of the law of the state, territory, possession, or district in which is located the court issuing the order for hospitalization with respect to the authority of the chief medical officer of any hospital or institution operated in this state by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or any other federal agency to retain custody, transfer, furlough, or discharge the patient therein hospitalized.     History.  Ga. L. 1958, p. 697,  7, 10; Ga. L. 1960, p. 837,  7, 10; Code 1933,  88-507, 88-510, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Code 1933,  88-508.5, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Code 1933,  88-507.4, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1984, p. 756,  1; Ga. L. 1990, p. 45,  1.  
 Upon application to the department by a parent, spouse, next of kin, or guardian or by an agency of another state in which the patient is hospitalized, a patient shall be eligible to be hospitalized in the State of Georgia if found by the department to be a legal resident of this state. The department shall designate a hospital to which such patient is to be transported at no expense to the State of Georgia. The regional state hospital administrator of such hospital and the next of kin or guardian of the patient shall be notified of this action. The chief medical officer shall be authorized to hospitalize the patient for a period not to exceed five days unless prior to the expiration of such period the patient shall have voluntarily agreed to hospitalization or involuntary proceedings shall have been instituted under this chapter. After a thorough physical and mental examination has been made by the medical staff of such hospital, the chief medical officer of the hospital or his designee is authorized to sign an application for involuntary hospitalization if necessary. Such application shall be forwarded to the court of the county in which that hospital is located for action pursuant to the provisions of this chapter relative thereto.    History.  Code 1933,  88-524, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 837,  1; Code 1933,  88-507.8, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-18.  
 If a hospitalized patient is discovered not to be a resident, the regional state hospital administrator of the treatment facility in which the patient is hospitalized shall seek his transfer to the custody of authorities of the state of his residence or to a publicly owned or publicly operated psychiatric hospital in that state. Notwithstanding an individuals status as a nonresident, nothing contained in this Code section shall prevent the voluntary hospitalization of such individual under this chapter for which due payment is made by such individual or others on his behalf nor shall it prevent the transfer, custody, care, or treatment of such individual in accordance with the terms of any reciprocal agreement between the State of Georgia and any other state, the District of Columbia, or any territory or possession of the United States. This Code section shall not apply to persons confined to any facility operated by or under the control of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or any other federal agency.    History.  Ga. L. 1960, p. 837,  21; Code 1933,  88-521, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Code 1933,  88-508.4, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Code 1933,  88-507.3, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1990, p. 45,  1; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-18.    Cross references.    Rights of citizens of other states while in Georgia generally,  1-2-9 .  
 It is the policy of this state that no person shall be denied care and treatment for mental illness nor shall services be delayed at a facility of the state or a political subdivision of the state because of inability to pay for such care and treatment.    History.  Code 1933,  88-502.2, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Code 1933,  88-502.3, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1.    Cross references.    Payment of patient expenses for support, treatment in state institutions generally, T. 37, C. 9.  
  The responsibility for paying the expenses for transporting, examining, and caring for patients, which expenses are not provided for under Chapter 9 of this title, relating to the payment of costs of care of persons admitted to state institutions under the department, shall be in the following order:   The patient or his estate;   Persons legally obligated or legally responsible for the support of the patient;   The county of the patients legal residence, provided that the county governing authority passes an appropriate resolution assuming such responsibility; and   The department, when the General Assembly appropriates funds for such purpose.     The patient or those legally obligated for his support shall not be responsible for such expenses as described above when they were incurred in transporting a patient who is released by a court or a facility before involuntary treatment as not being a mentally ill person in need of involuntary treatment.   The board is authorized to issue rules and regulations governing the provisions of this Code section as it relates to the department.     History.  Code 1933,  88-508.8, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Code 1933,  88-507.7, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1.    Cross references.    Payment of costs of hospital care for the indigent,  31-8-1 et seq.   Medical assistance generally,  49-4-140 et seq.  
  Except as provided in this Code section, the expenses of any hearing held under this chapter by a court or by a hearing examiner, including attorneys fees authorized by paragraph (1) of subsection (b) of this Code section and including hearing officer expenses authorized by paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of this Code section, shall be paid by the county in which the patient has his residence or, if the patient is a transient, by the county in which the patient was initially taken into the custody of the state. Payment by such county of the hearing expenses shall only be required if the person who actually presides over the hearing executes an affidavit or includes a statement in his final order relating to the hearing that the assets of the patient, his estate, and any persons legally obligated to support the patient appear to be insufficient to defray such expenses, based upon all relevant information available to the person who actually presides over the hearing. Such affidavit or statement may include the patients name, address, and age. The cost on appeal to the appropriate court shall be the same as provided for in other appeals from the probate and juvenile courts.   Expenses of any hearing held under this chapter shall include:   The fee to be paid to an attorney appointed under this chapter to represent a patient at such hearing. Such fee shall be as agreed between the attorney and the appointing court but shall not exceed an amount determined under the fee schedule followed by the county when computing the fees to be paid to an attorney who has been appointed to represent an indigent criminal defendant plus actual expenses which an attorney may incur and which have been approved by the court holding the hearing. In exceptional circumstances, the attorney may apply to the superior court of the judicial circuit in which the hearing was held for an order granting reasonable fees in excess of the amounts specified in this paragraph;   The fee to be paid to the court, which fee shall be to defray the cost of clerical help and the cost of any additional office space and equipment required for the conduct of such hearing. In hearings conducted pursuant to Code Section 37-3-83 such fee shall be $20.00 and in all other hearings under this chapter such fee shall be $40.00, excluding attorneys fees and expenses of the hearing officer; and   The fee to be paid to the hearing officer appointed pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (4) of Code Section 37-3-1 to conduct a hearing. Such fee shall be as agreed between the hearing officer and the appointing court, but shall not exceed an amount determined under the fee schedule followed by the county when computing the fees to be paid to an attorney who has been appointed to represent an indigent criminal defendant plus actual expenses which the hearing officer may incur and which have been approved by the court holding the hearing. In exceptional circumstances, the hearing officer may apply to the superior court of the judicial circuit in which the hearing was held for an order granting reasonable fees in excess of the amounts specified in this paragraph. The $40.00 court cost authorized by paragraph (2) of this subsection shall also be authorized to defray the cost of clerical help and additional office space and equipment required for the conduct of such hearings.     The expenses incurred by a county for a mental health hearing held by a probate court judge or an attorney on his or her staff for an out-of-county patient shall be reimbursed by the county in which the patient has his or her residence.  Such amount shall not exceed the amount which would have been paid by the county to a noncounty employed hearing officer, plus any other authorized expenses in connection with the hearing.     History.  Ga. L. 1958, p. 697,  24; Ga. L. 1960, p. 837,  20; Code 1933,  88-520, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Code 1933,  88-508.2, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Ga. L. 1975, p. 719,  1; Ga. L. 1976, p. 328,  1; Code 1933,  88-507.2, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1979, p. 1042,  2; Ga. L. 1985, p. 875,  1; Ga. L. 1992, p. 2521,  5.  
 Patients shall retain all rights and privileges granted other persons or citizens. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, no person who is receiving or has received services for a mental illness shall be deprived of any civil, political, personal, or property rights or be considered legally incompetent for any purpose without due process of law.    History.  Ga. L. 1960, p. 837,  16; Code 1933,  88-516, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Code 1933,  88-502.1, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1.    Cross references.    Rights of persons generally, T. 1, C. 2.   Capacity of mentally ill persons to enter into contracts,  13-3-24 .   Incurable mental illness as grounds for divorce,  19-5-3 .   Testamentary capacity of insane persons,  53-4-11.  
 It shall be the responsibility of the department to see that every patient is given the opportunity to secure legal counsel at his own expense to represent him in connection with private, personal, domestic, business, civil, criminal, and all other legal matters in which he may be involved during hospitalization.    History.  Code 1933,  88-502.12, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Code 1933,  88-502.15, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1.    Cross references.    Right of legal counsel generally, U.S. Const. amend. 6, and Ga. Const. 1983, Art. I, Sec. I, Para. XIV.  
  Each patient in a facility shall have the right to communicate freely and privately with persons outside the facility and to receive visitors inside the facility.   Except as otherwise provided in this Code section, each patient shall be allowed to receive and send sealed, unopened mail; and no patients incoming or outgoing mail shall be opened, delayed, held, or censored by the facility.   If there are reasonable grounds to believe that incoming mail contains items or substances which may be dangerous to the patient or others, the chief medical officer may direct reasonable examination of such mail and, after examination, may regulate the disposition of such items or substances found therein. All writings must be presented to the patient within 24 hours of inspection.   The chief medical officer may apply to the court for a temporary order to restrict outgoing mail. If the court determines that probable cause exists that such mail is dangerous to the patient or others, the court may order such mail temporarily restricted, provided that a full and fair hearing shall be held within five days after the issuance of such temporary order to determine whether or not an order of restriction for an extended time shall issue. In no event shall mail be restricted pursuant to such temporary order for more than five days after the date of the temporary order. A full and fair hearing shall be held after the issuance of the temporary order. If, at such hearing, the patients outgoing mail is determined to be dangerous to the patient or others, the court may order such mail restricted for an extended period not to exceed 30 days. Restrictions for extended periods may be renewed for additional periods not to exceed 30 days each, provided that no such restriction shall be renewed except upon a renewed finding at another full and fair hearing for each such renewal that such mail is dangerous to the patient or others.   If an injunction against the sending of mail by a patient is issued by a court, the chief medical officer shall restrict outgoing mail as provided by the order of the court.   No restriction of either incoming or outgoing mail under subsection (c) or (d) of this Code section shall exceed a period of five days, notwithstanding the authority to restrict such mail for longer periods, provided that such restrictions may be continued as necessary for periods not to exceed five days each upon determination by the chief medical officer, prior to each continuation, that such mail continues to be dangerous to the patient or others; provided, further, that, in the case of outgoing mail, such continuation periods in the aggregate shall not exceed the restriction period authorized in the court order.   Correspondence of the patient with his attorney shall not be restricted in any manner under this Code section. Correspondence of the patient with public officials shall not be restricted in any manner under subsection (c) of this Code section.   Each time a patients incoming mail is ordered examined by the chief medical officer and each time a patients outgoing mail is ordered examined by a temporary court order, written notice of such order and notice of a right to a full and fair hearing within five days after such temporary court order shall be served on the patient and his representatives as provided in Code Section 37-3-147. A voluntary patient may waive in writing such notice to his representatives.   The circumstances surrounding the examination of any mail under subsection (c), (d), (e), or (f) of this Code section shall be recorded on the patients clinical record.   The chief medical officer is authorized to establish reasonable regulations governing visitors, visiting hours, and the use of telephones by patients.     History.  Ga. L. 1890-91, p. 237,  1, 2, 5; Ga. L. 1892, p. 109,  1, 3; Code 1933,  88-901, 88-902, 88-903; Ga. L. 1958, p. 697,  17; Ga. L. 1960, p. 837,  16; Code 1933,  88-516, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Code 1933,  88-502.5, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Code 1933,  88-502.7, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1.  
 A patients rights to his personal effects shall be respected. The chief medical officer may take temporary custody of such effects when required for medical reasons. The facility shall make reasonable efforts to assure the safety of the patients belongings, but no employee or staff member shall be responsible for loss of or damage to such property where reasonable safety precautions have been taken.    History.  Code 1933,  88-502.6, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Code 1933,  88-502.8, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1.  
 Each patient in a facility who is eligible to vote shall be given his right to vote in primary, special, and general elections and in referendums. The superintendent or regional state hospital administrator of each facility shall permit and reasonably assist patients:    To obtain voter registration forms, applications for absentee ballots, and absentee ballots;   To comply with other requirements which are prerequisite for voting; and   To vote by absentee ballot if necessary.     History.  Ga. L. 1960, p. 837,  16; Code 1933,  88-516, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Code 1933,  88-502.7, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Code 1933,  88-502.9, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1995, p. 10,  37; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-19.    Cross references.    Right to elective franchise generally, U.S. Const., amend. 15; Ga. Const. 1983, Art. II, Sec. I, Para. II; and  1-2-6 .   Absentee voting,  21-2-380 et seq.  
 If a patient wishes to be employed outside a facility and if such employment will aid in the patients treatment, he shall be assisted in his efforts to secure suitable employment and all benefits flowing from such employment. The department shall encourage such employment of patients and shall promote the training of patients for gainful employment after discharge. All benefits of such employment shall accrue solely to the patient.    History.  Code 1933,  88-502.8, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Code 1933,  88-502.10, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1.  
 The rights of any child under treatment in a facility to an appropriate education at public expense shall not be abridged during hospitalization; and the special educational needs of each child shall be individually considered and respected. The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and the State Department of Education shall ensure that education is provided for all patients of school age who are hospitalized in any state owned, state operated, or any other designated facility.    History.  Code 1933,  88-502.9, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Code 1933,  88-502.11, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-2/HB 228.  
  At the time a person who has mental illness is admitted to any facility under this chapter or as soon thereafter as reasonably possible given the persons condition or mental state at the time of admission, such facility shall use diligent efforts to secure the names and addresses of at least two representatives, which names and addresses shall be entered in the persons clinical record.   The patient may designate one representative; the second representative or, in the absence of designation of one representative by the patient, both representatives shall be selected by the facility. If the facility is to select both representatives, it must make one selection from among the following persons in the order of listing: the patients mental health care agent, legal guardian, spouse, adult child, parent, attorney, adult next of kin, or adult friend, provided that, in the case of a patient whose representative or representatives have been appointed by the court under Code Section 37-3-62, the facility shall not select a different representative. The second representative shall also be selected from the above list but without regard to the order of listing, provided that the second representative shall not be the person who filed the petition to have the patient admitted to the facility.   If the facility is unable to secure at least two representatives after diligent search or if the department is the guardian of the patient, that fact shall be entered in the patients clinical record and the facility shall apply to the court in the county of the patients residence for the appointment of a guardian ad litem, which guardian ad litem shall not be the department. On application of any person or on its own motion, the court may also appoint a guardian ad litem for a patient for whom two representatives have been named whenever the appointment of a guardian ad litem is deemed necessary for protection of the patients rights. Such guardian ad litem shall also act as representative of the patient and shall have the powers granted to representatives by this chapter.   At any time notice is required by this chapter to be given to the patients representatives, such notice shall be served on the representatives designated under this Code section. The patients guardian ad litem, if any, shall likewise be served. Unless otherwise provided, notice may be served in person or by first-class mail. When notice is served by mail, a record shall be made of the date of mailing and shall be placed in the patients clinical record. Service shall be completed upon mailing.   At any time notice is required by this chapter to be given to the patient, the date on which notice is given shall be entered on the patients clinical record. If the patient is unable to comprehend the written notice, a reasonable effort shall be made to explain the notice to him or her.   At the time a court enters an order pursuant to this chapter, such order and notice of the date of entry of the order shall be served on the patient and his or her representatives as provided in subsection (d) of this Code section.   Notice of an involuntary patients admission to a facility shall be given to his or her representatives in writing. If such involuntary admission is to an emergency receiving facility, notice shall also be given by that facility to the patients representatives by telephone or in person as soon as possible.   In every instance in which a court shall appoint a guardian ad litem for any person pursuant to the terms of this chapter, such guardianship shall be for the limited purpose stated in the order of the court and shall expire automatically after 90 days or after a lesser time stated in the order. The responsibility of the guardian ad litem shall not extend beyond the specific purpose of the appointment.     History.  Code 1933,  88-502.15, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Ga. L. 1971, p. 623,  1; Ga. L. 1971, p. 784,  1; Code 1933,  88-502.19, enacted by Ga. L. 1971, p. 807,  1; Code 1933,  88-502.18, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1995, p. 10,  37; Ga. L. 2016, p. 313,  3/SB 271; Ga. L. 2017, p. 774,  37/HB 323; Ga. L. 2022, p. 611,  2-24/HB 752.    The 2022 amendment,  effective July 1, 2022, inserted mental health care agent, in the second sentence of subsection (b); added or her at the end of subsection (e); and inserted or her near the middle of subsection (f) and in the first sentence of subsection (g).    Cross references.    Guardians of incapacitated adults, T. 29, C. 5.  
  At any time and without notice, a person detained by a facility or a mental health care agent, legal guardian, relative, or friend on behalf of such person may petition, as provided by law, for a writ of habeas corpus to question the cause and legality of detention and to request any court of competent jurisdiction on its own initiative to issue a writ for release, provided that, in the case of any such petition for the release of a person detained in a facility pursuant to a court order under Code Section 17-7-130 or 17-7-131, a copy of the petition along with proper certificate of service shall also be served upon the presiding judge of the court ordering such detention and the prosecuting attorney for such court, which service may be made by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery, return receipt requested.   A patient or his representatives may file a petition in the appropriate court alleging that the patient is being unjustly denied a right or privilege granted by this chapter or that a procedure authorized by this chapter is being abused. Upon the filing of such a petition, the court shall have the authority to conduct a judicial inquiry and to issue appropriate orders to correct any abuse under this chapter.     History.  Ga. L. 1958, p. 697,  18; Ga. L. 1960, p. 837,  17; Code 1933,  88-517, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Code 1933,  88-502.11, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Code 1933,  88-502.14, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1980, p. 678,  2; Ga. L. 1984, p. 22,  37; Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589,  3; Ga. L. 2022, p. 611,  2-25/HB 752.    The 2022 amendment,  effective July 1, 2022, substituted a mental health care agent, legal guardian, relative, or friend for a relative or friend in subsection (a).    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589,  16, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that the amendment to this Code section is applicable with respect to notices delivered on or after July 1, 2000.    Cross references.    Habeas corpus generally, T. 9, C. 14.   Penalty for malicious confinement of sane person in asylum,  16-5-43 .  
 Each facility shall establish procedures whereby complaints of the patient or complaints of the staff concerning treatment of the patient can be speedily heard, with final decisions to be made by the superintendent, the regional state hospital administrator, or an advisory committee, whichever is appropriate. The board shall establish reasonable rules and regulations for the implementation of such procedures. However, the patient shall not be required to utilize these procedures in lieu of other available legal remedies.    History.  Code 1933,  88-502.22, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-11.    Cross references.    Reports and investigations regarding mistreatment of hospital patients, residents of long-term care facilities,  31-7-9, 31-8-50 et seq., 31-8-80 et seq., 31-8-100 et seq.  
 The patient, the patients representatives, or the patients attorney may appeal any order of the probate court or hearing officer rendered in a proceeding under this chapter to the superior court of the county in which the proceeding was held, except as otherwise provided in Article 6 of Chapter 9 of Title 15, and may appeal any order of the juvenile court rendered in a proceeding under this chapter to the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court. The appeal to the superior court shall be made in the same manner as appeals from the probate court to the superior court, except that the appeal shall be heard before the court sitting without a jury as soon as practicable but not later than 30 days following the date on which the appeal is filed with the clerk of the superior court. The appeal from the order of the juvenile court to the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court shall be as provided by law but shall be heard as expeditiously as possible. The patient must pay all costs upon filing any appeal authorized under this Code section or must make an affidavit that he or she is unable to pay costs. The patient shall retain all rights of review of any order of the superior court, the Court of Appeals, or the Supreme Court, as provided by law. The patient shall have a right to counsel or, if unable to afford counsel, shall have counsel appointed for the patient by the court. The appeal rights provided to the patient, the patients representatives, or the patients attorney in this Code section are in addition to any other appeal rights which the parties may have, and the provision of the right for the patient, the patients representatives, or the patients attorney to appeal does not deny the right to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to appeal under the general appeal provisions of Code Section 5-3-4.    History.  Code 1933,  88-502.16, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Code 1933,  88-502.19, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1986, p. 982,  11; Ga. L. 1994, p. 1072,  1; Ga. L. 1995, p. 10,  37; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-2/HB 228; Ga. L. 2016, p. 883,  3-13, 3-14/HB 927; Ga. L. 2022, p. 767,  2-27/HB 916.    Delayed effective date.    Code Section 37-3-150 is set out twice in this Code. This version, as set out above, is effective July 1, 2023. For version effective until July 1, 2023, see the preceding version.    The 2022 amendment,  effective July 1, 2023, substituted Code Section 5-3-4 for Code Sections 5-3-2 and 5-3-3 at the end of this Code section. See Editors notes for applicability.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 2022, p. 767,  3-1/HB 916, not codified by the General Assembly, makes this Code section applicable to petitions for review filed in superior or state court on or after July 1, 2023.  
 The patient, the patients representatives, or the patients attorney may appeal any order of the probate court or hearing officer rendered in a proceeding under this chapter to the superior court of the county in which the proceeding was held, except as otherwise provided in Article 6 of Chapter 9 of Title 15, and may appeal any order of the juvenile court rendered in a proceeding under this chapter to the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court. The appeal to the superior court shall be made in the same manner as appeals from the probate court to the superior court, except that the appeal shall be heard before the court sitting without a jury as soon as practicable but not later than 30 days following the date on which the appeal is filed with the clerk of the superior court. The appeal from the order of the juvenile court to the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court shall be as provided by law but shall be heard as expeditiously as possible. The patient must pay all costs upon filing any appeal authorized under this Code section or must make an affidavit that he or she is unable to pay costs. The patient shall retain all rights of review of any order of the superior court, the Court of Appeals, or the Supreme Court, as provided by law. The patient shall have a right to counsel or, if unable to afford counsel, shall have counsel appointed for the patient by the court. The appeal rights provided to the patient, the patients representatives, or the patients attorney in this Code section are in addition to any other appeal rights which the parties may have, and the provision of the right for the patient, the patients representatives, or the patients attorney to appeal does not deny the right to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to appeal under the general appeal provisions of Code Sections 5-3-2 and 5-3-3.    History.  Code 1933,  88-502.16, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Code 1933,  88-502.19, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1986, p. 982,  11; Ga. L. 1994, p. 1072,  1; Ga. L. 1995, p. 10,  37; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-2/HB 228; Ga. L. 2016, p. 883,  3-13, 3-14/HB 927.    Delayed effective date.    Code Section 37-3-150 is set out twice in this Code. This version is effective until July 1, 2023. For version effective July 1, 2023, see the following version.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1986, p. 982,  25, not codified by the General Assembly, provided that that Act would apply to all cases filed on or after July 1, 1986.   Ga. L. 2016, p. 883,  1-1/HB 927, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: This Act shall be known and may be cited as the Appellate Jurisdiction Reform Act of 2016.    Ga. L. 2016, p. 883,  6-1/HB 927, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: Part III of this Act shall become effective on January 1, 2017, and shall apply to cases in which a notice of appeal or application to appeal is filed on or after such date.    Law reviews.    For article on the 2016 amendment of this Code section, see 33 Georgia St. U. L. Rev. 205 (2016).  
 The patients dignity as an individual shall be respected at all times and upon all occasions, including any occasion wherein the patient is taken into custody, detained, or transported. Mentally ill patients or those suspected of being mentally ill shall, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, be treated at all times as medical patients. All patients shall be treated by a physician or psychologist acting within the scope of his or her license. Except where required under conditions of extreme urgency, those procedures, facilities, vehicles, and restraining devices normally utilized for criminals or those accused of crime shall not be used in connection with the mentally ill.    History.  Code 1933,  88-502.1, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Code 1933,  88-502.2, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1902,  12.    Law reviews.    For note comparing procedures for hospitalization of the mentally ill in Georgia to other jurisdictions and suggesting improvements, see 7 Mercer L. Rev. 361 (1956).   For article, Distinctive Factors Affecting the Legal Context of End-Of-Life Medical Care for Older Persons, see 33 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 869 (2017).   For article, Ending-Life Decisions: Some Disability Perspectives, see 33 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 893 (2017).   For article, Unbefriended and Unrepresented: Better Medical Decision Making for Incapacitated Patients Without Healthcare Surrogates, see 33 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 923 (2017).   For article, Exploring the Right to Die in the U.S., see 33 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 1021 (2017).  
 It is the policy of the state that the least restrictive alternative placement be secured for every patient at every stage of his medical treatment and care. It shall be the duty of the facility to assist the patient in securing placement in noninstitutional community facilities and programs.    History.  Code 1933,  88-502.21, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1.  
  Each patient in a facility and each person receiving services for mental illness shall receive care and treatment that is suited to his needs and is the least restrictive appropriate care and treatment. Such care and treatment shall be administered skillfully, safely, and humanely with full respect for the patients dignity and personal integrity.   Each patient shall have the right to participate in his care and treatment. The board shall issue regulations to ensure that each patient participates in his care and treatment to the maximum extent possible. Unless the disclosure to the patient is determined by the chief medical officer or the patients treating physician or psychologist to be detrimental to the physical or mental health of the patient, and unless a notation to that effect is made a part of the patients record, the patient shall have the right to reasonable access to review his medical file, to be told his diagnosis, to be consulted on the treatment recommendation, and to be fully informed concerning his medication, including its side effects and available treatment alternatives.   It is the duty of the chief medical officer to ensure that each patient receives such medical attention as is suitable to his condition and that no treatment shall be given which is not recognized as standard psychiatric treatment, except upon the written consent of the patient or, if applicable, his guardian having capacity to give such consent. If such consent is given by someone other than the patient or such guardian, court approval must be obtained after a full and fair hearing.   If a patient hospitalized under this chapter is able to secure the services of a private physician or psychologist, he shall be allowed to see his physician or psychologist at any reasonable time. The chief medical officer is authorized and directed to establish regulations designed to facilitate examination and treatment which a patient may request from such private physician or psychologist.   Every patient admitted to a facility under this chapter shall be examined by the staff of the admitting facility as soon as possible after his admission.     History.  Ga. L. 1958, p. 697,  15; Ga. L. 1960, p. 837,  14; Code 1933,  88-514, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Code 1933,  88-502.3, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Code 1933,  88-502.4, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  20; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1902,  13.    Cross references.    Rights of mentally ill persons regarding consent to surgical or medical treatment generally,  31-9-4.    Law reviews.    For article, The Right to Refuse Psychiatric Treatment: Law and Medicine at the Interface, see 35 Emory L.J. 139 (1986).  
  It shall be the policy of this state to recognize the personal physical integrity of all patients.   It shall be the policy of this state to protect, within reason, the right of every individual to refuse medication except in cases where a physician determines that refusal would be unsafe to the patient or others. If the patient continues to refuse medication after such initial emergency treatment, a concurring opinion from a second physician must be obtained before medication can be continued without the patients consent. Further, in connection with any hearing under this chapter, the patient has the right to appear and testify as free from any side effects or adverse effects of the medication as is reasonably possible.   Any patient objecting to the treatment being administered to him shall have a right to request a protective order pursuant to Code Section 37-3-148.   Except as provided in subsections (b) and (e) of this Code section, consent to medical treatment and surgery shall be obtained and regulated by Chapter 9 of Title 31.   In cases of grave emergency where the medical staff of the facility in which a mentally ill individual has been accepted for treatment determines that immediate surgical or other intervention is necessary to prevent serious physical consequences or death and where delay in obtaining consent would create a grave danger to the physical health of such person, as determined by at least two physicians, then essential surgery or other intervention may be administered without the consent of the person, the spouse, next of kin, attorney, guardian, or any other person. In such cases, a record of the determination of the physicians shall be entered into the medical records of the patient and this will be proper consent for such surgery or other intervention. Such consent will be valid notwithstanding the type of admission of the patient and it shall also be valid whether or not the patient has been adjudged incompetent. This Code section is intended to apply to those individuals who, as a result of their advanced age, impaired thinking, or other disability, cannot reasonably understand the consequences of withholding consent to surgery or other intervention as contemplated by this Code section. Any hospital or any physician, agent, employee, or official who obtains consent or relies on such consent, as authorized by this Code section, and who acts in good faith and within the provisions of this chapter shall be immune from civil or criminal liability for his or her actions in connection with the obtaining of or the relying upon such consent; provided, however, that nothing in this Code section shall be construed to relieve any hospital or any physician, agent, employee, or official from liability for failing to meet the applicable standard of care in the provision of treatment to a patient. Actual notice of any action taken pursuant to this Code section shall be given to the patient and the spouse, next of kin, attorney, guardian, or representative of the patient as soon as practicably possible.     History.  Code 1933,  88-508.11, enacted by Ga. L. 1977, p. 889,  1; Code 1933,  88-502.6, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1995, p. 1302,  13; Ga. L. 2011, p. 346,  3/HB 343.    Cross references.    Rights of mentally ill persons regarding consent to surgical or medical treatment generally,  31-9-4.  
  As used in this Code section, the term:   Representative means the representative designated by the patient or, in the absence of such designation, the person selected as a representative in the order of listing under subsection (b) of Code Section 37-3-147 but shall not mean the patients legal guardian. At the time of designation or selection, such representative shall be notified of his right to notice and to consultation under this Code section. In order to exercise such rights, the representative shall notify the department on a form supplied by the department of his election to exercise such rights. Upon receiving such notice, the department shall thereafter provide that representative the notification and consultation required by this Code section until that representative notifies the department to the contrary. A patient need not be notified of his representatives rights under this Code section unless such representative has elected to exercise such rights.   Substantial change means a significant change including, but not limited to, the transfer within a facility of a patient from a unit primarily serving patients under 18 years of age to a unit primarily serving patients 18 years of age or over or the transfer of a patient from one facility to another but shall not include:   Changes in the routine day-to-day care of the patient;   Routine or periodic changes or adjustments in patient medication;   Changes relating to routine or necessary medical care needs of the patient;   Formulation of the patients initial individualized service plan;   Changes specifically contemplated in a service plan regarding which the representative has already received notification; or   Discharge of the patient from the facility.       At the time an adult patients representative is designated or selected under Code Section 37-3-147 and at least every 12 months thereafter, such patient shall be notified that, unless objected to by the patient, such representative will be permitted to consult with the facility regarding the development of the patients individualized service plan and the patients treatment under such plan. The representative of a minor patient and the representative of an adult patient not objecting to consultation as authorized by this Code section may consult with the facility regarding the development of such patients individualized service plan and the patients treatment under such plan.   At least seven days prior to any substantial change in the individualized service plan or treatment thereunder of an adult patient, the facility to which the patient has been admitted shall notify the patient that it will notify his representative of such change, unless the patient objects to such notification within 24 hours. A patients representative shall be notified at least five days prior to any substantial change in such patients individualized service plan or the treatment under such plan unless such patient is an adult and objects to such notification.   In an emergency where the delay due to providing prior notification under subsection (c) of this Code section would create serious damage to the health of the patient, such a substantial change may be made without such prior notification. The patients record shall specify the circumstances surrounding the emergency. Within 48 hours after the change, an adult patient shall be notified of his right to object within 24 hours to his representatives being notified of such change. A patients representative shall be notified of such change within five days after such change occurs unless the patient is an adult and objects to such notification pursuant to subsection (c) of this Code section.   Notification to representatives under subsections (c) and (d) of this Code section may be made by telephone if the date and time of such notification is entered on the patients clinical record and if such notification is followed within 15 days by written notification.   A patients legal guardian shall have the consultation and notification rights of a patients representative under subsections (b) through (d) of this Code section regardless of whether the patient is a minor or whether the patient objects to such consultation or notification. A patient for whom a legal guardian has been appointed shall not be notified of any right to object under this Code section.     History.  Code 1933,  88-502.24, enacted by Ga. L. 1980, p. 1451,  2.    Cross references.    Rights of mentally ill persons regarding consent to surgical or medical treatment generally,  31-9-4.  
  Mistreatment, neglect, or abuse in any form of any patient is prohibited. Medication in quantities that interfere with the patients treatment program is prohibited. All medication, seclusion, or physical restraints are to be used solely for the purposes of providing effective treatment and protecting the safety of the patient and other persons.   Physical restraints shall not be applied unless they are determined by an attending physician, a psychologist involved in the care and treatment of a patient, or a clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric/mental health involved in the care and treatment of the patient to be absolutely necessary in order to prevent a patient from seriously injuring himself or herself or others and are required by the patients medical needs. Such determination shall expire after 24 hours. An attending physician, a psychologist involved in the care and treatment of a patient, or a clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric/mental health involved in the care and treatment of the patient must then make a new determination before the restraint may be continued. Every use of a restraint and the reasons therefor shall be made a part of the clinical record of the patient. A copy of each such entry or a summary of such entries shall be forwarded to the chief medical officer for review. A patient placed in physical restraint shall be checked at least every 30 minutes by staff trained in the use of restraints and a written record of such checks shall be made. When the application of a restraint is necessary in emergency situations to protect the patient from immediate injury to himself or herself or to others, restraints may be authorized by attending staff who must immediately report the action taken to the physician and any psychologist involved in the care and treatment of the patient. The facility shall have written policies and procedures which govern the use of restraints and which clearly delineate, in descending order, the personnel who can authorize the use of restraints in emergency situations.   For the purposes of this Code section, those devices which restrain movement, but are applied for protection from accidental injury or required for the medical treatment of the patients physical condition or for supportive or corrective needs of the patient, shall not be considered physical restraints. However, devices used in such situations must be authorized and applied in compliance with the facilitys policies and procedures. The use of such devices shall be a part of the patients individualized service plan.     History.  Ga. L. 1958, p. 697,  16; Ga. L. 1960, p. 837,  15; Code 1933,  88-515, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Code 1933,  88-502.4, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Code 1933,  88-502.5, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1982, p. 937,  4, 9; Ga. L. 1997, p. 911,  4.    Cross references.    Abuse or mistreatment of hospital patients, residents of long-term care facilities, and other institutions,  31-7-9, 31-8-50 et seq., 31-8-80 et seq., 31-8-100 et seq.   Rights of mentally ill persons regarding consent to surgical or medical treatment generally,  31-9-4.  
  A clinical record for each patient shall be maintained. Authorized release of the record shall include but not be limited to examination of the original record, copies of all or any portion of the record, or disclosure of information from the record, except for matters privileged under the laws of this state.  Such examination shall be conducted on hospital premises at reasonable times determined by the facility.  The clinical record shall not be a public record and no part of it shall be released except:   When the chief medical officer of the facility where the record is kept deems it essential for continued treatment, a copy of the record or parts thereof may be released to physicians or psychologists when and as necessary for the treatment of the patient;   A copy of the record may be released to any person or entity designated in writing by the patient or, if appropriate, the parent of a minor, the legal guardian of an adult or minor, or a person to whom legal custody of a minor patient has been given by order of a court;   (2.1)  A copy of the record of a deceased patient or deceased former patient may be released to or in response to a valid subpoena of a coroner or medical examiner under Chapter 16 of Title 45, except for matters privileged under the laws of this state;    When a patient is admitted to a facility, a copy of the record or information contained in the record from another facility, community mental health center, or private practitioner may be released to the admitting facility. When the service plan of a patient involves transfer of that patient to another facility, community mental health center, or private practitioner, a copy of the record or information contained in the record may be released to that facility, community mental health center, or private practitioner;   A copy of the record or any part thereof may be disclosed to any employee or staff member of the facility when it is necessary for the proper treatment of the patient;   A copy of the record shall be released to the patients attorney if the attorney so requests and the patient, or the patients legal guardian, consents to the release;   In a bona fide medical emergency, as determined by a physician treating the patient, the chief medical officer may release a copy of the record to the treating physician or to the patients psychologist;   At the request of the patient, the patients legal guardian, or the patients attorney, the record shall be produced by the entity having custody thereof at any hearing held under this chapter;   A copy of the record shall be produced in response to a valid subpoena or order of any court of competent jurisdiction, except for matters privileged under the laws of this state;   (8.1)  A copy of the record may be released to the legal representative of a deceased patients estate, except for matters privileged under the laws of this state;    Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a law enforcement officer in the course of a criminal investigation may be informed as to whether a person is or has been a patient in a state facility, as well as the patients current address, if known; and   Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a law enforcement officer in the course of investigating the commission of a crime on the premises of a facility covered by this chapter or against facility personnel or a threat to commit such a crime may be informed as to the circumstances of the incident, including whether the individual allegedly committing or threatening to commit a crime is or has been a patient in the facility, and the name, address, and last known whereabouts of any alleged patient perpetrator.     In connection with any hearing held under this chapter, any physician, including any psychiatrist, or any psychologist who is treating or who has treated the patient shall be authorized to give evidence as to any matter concerning the patient, including evidence as to communications otherwise privileged under Code Section 24-5-501, 24-12-1, or 43-39-16.   Any disclosure authorized by this Code section or any unauthorized disclosure of confidential or privileged patient information or communications shall not in any way abridge or destroy the confidential or privileged character thereof, except for the purpose for which such authorized disclosure is made. Any person making a disclosure authorized by this Code section shall not be liable to the patient or any other person, notwithstanding any contrary provision of Code Section 24-5-501, 24-12-1, or 43-39-16.   When a sheriff transports an adult involuntary patient to a facility, that sheriff may request in writing that a notice of such patients discharge be given to the sheriff; and such notice shall be provided if such patient or the patients guardian consents in writing to the disclosure or if, in its discretion, the court ordering the involuntary treatment provides for such notice in the order issued pursuant to Code Section 37-3-81.1.     History.  Ga. L. 1958, p. 697,  19; Ga. L. 1960, p. 837,  18; Code 1933,  88-518, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Code 1933,  88-502.10, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Code 1933,  88-502.12, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1979, p. 723,  4, 5; Ga. L. 1981, p. 985,  1; Ga. L. 1987, p. 3,  37; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  21, 22; Ga. L. 1994, p. 1072,  2; Ga. L. 2011, p. 99,  53/HB 24.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 2011, p. 99,  101/HB 24, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that this Act shall apply to any motion made or hearing or trial commenced on or after January 1, 2013.    Law reviews.    For note, Tort Liability in Georgia for the Criminal Acts of Another, see 18 Ga. L. Rev. 361 (1984).   For article, Evidence, see 27 Ga. St. U. L. Rev. 1 (2011).   For article on the 2011 amendment of this Code section, see 28 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 1 (2011).  
  Except as provided in subsection (b) of Code Section 37-3-162, every patient shall have the right to examine all medical records kept in the patients name by the department or the facility where the patient was hospitalized or treated.   Every patient shall have the right to request that any inaccurate information found in his medical record be corrected.   The board shall promulgate reasonable rules and regulations to implement subsections (a) and (b) of this Code section. Nothing contained in this Code section shall be construed to require the deletion of information by the department nor constrain the department from destroying patient records after a reasonable passage of time.     Notwithstanding paragraphs (7) and (8) of Code Section 15-9-37 or any provisions of Article 4 of Chapter 18 of Title 50, all files and records of a court in a proceeding under this chapter since September 1, 1978, shall remain sealed and shall be open to inspection only upon order of the court issued after petition by, or notice to, the patient and subject to the provisions of Code Section 37-3-166 pertaining to the medical portions of the record.   If any official or employee of any court or archival facility assists a person who is not an official or employee of that court or facility in attempting to gain access to any court record which the official or employee knows concerns examination, evaluation, treatment, or commitment for mental illness, such record was created prior to September 1, 1978, and such record contains no information concerning the patient which is ordinarily public, such as the fact that a guardianship was created, such official or employee shall seal the record if it is in the possession of the court or facility and shall inform the person seeking access that if such a record exists it is open to inspection only upon order of the court issued after petition by, or notice to, the patient and subject to the provisions of Code Section 37-3-166 pertaining to the medical portions of the record.   Upon a petition for access to such files or records referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection, the court should allow inspection by the person who is the subject of a record unless there are compelling reasons why it should not but should require anyone other than the person who is the subject of a court record to show compelling reasons why the record should be opened. If access is granted, the court order shall restrict dissemination of the information to certain persons or for certain purposes or both.   The court may refer to such files and records referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection in any subsequent proceeding under this chapter concerning the same patient on condition that the files and records of such subsequent proceeding will then be sealed in accordance with this subsection. The court may permit authorized representatives of recognized organizations compiling statistics for proper purposes to inspect and make abstracts from official records, but without personal identifying information and under whatever conditions upon their use and distribution the court may deem proper. The court may punish by contempt any violations of any such conditions.       History.  Code 1933,  88-502.13, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1995, p. 612,  2.    Cross references.    Release of medical information generally,  24-12-1 et seq.    Law reviews.    For note on the 1995 amendment of this Code section, see 12 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 258 (1995).  
 The patients attorney shall have the right, at reasonable times, to interview the physician or psychologist and staff who have attended or are now attending the patient in any facility and to have the patients records interpreted by them. The chief medical officer is authorized and directed to establish reasonable regulations to make available to the patients attorney all such information in the possession of the facility as the attorney requires in order to advise and represent the patient concerning his hospitalization.    History.  Code 1933,  88-502.17, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505,  1; Code 1933,  88-502.20, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789,  1; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  23.    Cross references.    Release of medical information generally,  24-12-1 et seq.  
 This article shall be known and may be cited as the Adult Residential Mental Health Services Licensing Act.   History. Code 1981,  37-3-200 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 587,  1/HB 1069.  
 The purpose of this article is to provide for the classification and systematic evaluation, licensure, and monitoring of residential programs designed for the treatment and therapeutic recovery of adult persons with a primary diagnosis or assessment of a psychotic disorder, mood disorder, anxiety disorder, dissociative disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, adjustment disorder, personality disorder, or trauma and stress related disorder; to ensure that every governing body which operates an adult residential mental health program is licensed to do so; and to meet the rehabilitative and recovery needs and supports of persons who have mental illnesses while safeguarding their individual liberties as well as public safety.   History. Code 1981,  37-3-201 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 587,  1/HB 1069.  
 As used in this article, the term:    Adult residential mental health program means a subacute residential alternative service of four or more residential beds authorized to provide psychiatric services for mentally ill persons 18 years of age or older that operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week to provide intensive short-term noninstitutional treatment to individuals who are temporarily in need of a 24-hour-per-day supportive therapeutic setting for prevention of or transition from or after acute psychiatric hospitalization. Such term shall not include crisis stabilization units, as defined in Code Section 37-1-29; community living arrangements, as defined by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities; mental health programs conducted by accountability courts; or residential beds operated by a state or local public entity.   Applicant means any individual affiliated with a partnership, corporation, association, or individuals or groups of individuals submitting an application to operate an adult residential mental health program under this article.   Department means the Department of Community Health.   Governing body means the partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, or person or group of persons who maintains and controls the adult residential mental health program and who is legally responsible for its operation.   License means the official permit issued by the department which authorizes the holder to operate an adult residential mental health program.   Licensee means any person holding a license issued by the department under this article.   Mentally ill person means a person who has significant deficits in functioning affecting social and family relationships, work, self-care, educational goals, or legal involvements due to his or her primary diagnosis or assessment of a psychotic disorder, mood disorder, anxiety disorder, dissociative disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, adjustment disorder, personality disorder, or trauma and stress related disorder as listed in the American Psychiatric Associations Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) or the World Health Organizations International Classification of Diseases, in effect as of July 1, 2022, or as the department may further define such term by rule and regulation.    History. Code 1981,  37-3-202 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 587,  1/HB 1069.  
 The department is authorized to classify all adult residential mental health programs within the state according to the character and range of services provided.   History. Code 1981,  37-3-203 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 587,  1/HB 1069.  
 The department shall create and promulgate minimum standards of quality and services for each designated class of programs. At least the following areas shall be covered in the rules and regulations:    Admission criteria which at a minimum must require a referral from either an inpatient psychiatric hospital that is discharging a patient to an adult residential mental health program or a determination by a qualified psychiatrist that admission is required to provide stabilization, treatment, and care of the condition but an inpatient admission to a psychiatric hospital is not required; and length of stay criteria which at a minimum shall be redetermined on a periodic basis through a mental health evaluation to include treatment goals and progress from the initial admission. Such mental health evaluation shall determine medical necessity for continued stay in the residential program with a maximum length of stay of six months unless an individual case waiver is approved by the department;   Adequate and safe buildings or housing facilities where programs are offered and standards for emergency conditions relating to them;   Adequate equipment for the delivery of adult residential mental health programs;   Standards for sufficient trained staff or staff with prior experience who are competent in the duties they are to perform which, at a minimum, shall include a psychiatrist or other physician when the psychiatrist is unavailable, a registered professional nurse or advanced practice registered nurse, appropriately trained clinical case management staff to facilitate care and safe discharge planning, and mental health technicians or other similarly trained paraprofessionals or certified peer specialists at a ratio of not less than one to 12 patients or greater as assessed needs and history of the patient population indicates;   The content and quality of services to be provided;   Requirements for intake, discharge, and aftercare of mentally ill persons; financial relationships or arrangements with patients of the program; and visitation of patients;   Referral arrangements to other appropriate agencies or facilities, including a process and adequate staff to facilitate transfer of a patient to a licensed general or specialty hospital authorized to provide inpatient medical or psychiatric services;   Maintenance of adequate records on each mentally ill person treated or advised;   Standards for the storage, administration, and dispensing of prescribed medications to patients in programs licensed under this article, in accordance with guidelines established by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and the Georgia Board of Pharmacy;   Permission for the use of therapeutic modalities and complementary services beneficial to the treatment of and supports for adult mentally ill persons;   Permission and standards for the regulation or control and provision of food and other nutrition in each setting or classification of an adult residential mental health program;   Standards for protection of patient rights while resident in a program and internal grievance procedures;   Standards for the ethics and integrity of the staff, owners, and governing body of the program;   Standards to ensure protection of the resident and the community at large in the event a resident poses a risk of potential harm to self or others; and   Standards and procedures for incident reports to the department in the event of the occurrence of major incidents and provision for appropriate departmental actions and appeal thereof.    History. Code 1981,  37-3-204 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 587,  1/HB 1069.  
  The department is authorized and directed to create and promulgate all rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of this article no later than July 1, 2023.   The department is further authorized to issue, deny, suspend, or revoke licenses or take other enforcement actions against licensees or applicants as provided in Code Section 31-2-8.   All rules and regulations and any enforcement actions initiated by the department shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 13 of Title 50, the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act.    History. Code 1981,  37-3-205 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 587,  1/HB 1069.  
  On and after January 1, 2024, no governing body shall operate an adult residential mental health program without having a valid license or provisional license issued pursuant to this article; provided, however, that hospitals licensed in accordance with Chapter 7 of Title 31 are exempt from this article unless the hospital is operating an adult residential mental health program that is separate and distinct from the licensed hospital.   This Code section shall become effective only upon the effective date of a specific appropriation of funds for purposes of this article, as expressed in a line item making specific reference to this article in a General Appropriations Act enacted by the General Assembly.    History. Code 1981,  37-3-206 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 587,  1/HB 1069.    Delayed effective date.    Ga. L. 2022, p. 587,  1/HB 1069, as reflected in subsection (b) of this Code section, provides that this Code section becomes effective only when funds are specifically appropriated for the purposes of the Act in an Appropriations Act making specific reference to this Act. Funds were not appropriated at the 2022 session of the General Assembly.  
  Application for a license to operate an adult residential mental health program shall be submitted by the governing body to the department in the manner prescribed in the departments rules and regulations and shall contain a comprehensive outline of the program to be offered by the applicant.   Proof of compliance with all applicable federal and state laws for the handling and dispensing of medications, and all state and local health, safety, sanitation, building, and zoning codes shall be attached to the application submitted to the department.    History. Code 1981,  37-3-207 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 587,  1/HB 1069.  
 Between July 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023, the department shall be authorized to grant a one-time provisional license for an adult residential mental health program to an existing licensed personal care home that substantially complies with the requirements of this article for a period not to extend beyond December 31, 2023.   History. Code 1981,  37-3-208.1 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 587,  1/HB 1069.  
  The department may issue a provisional license effective for a period not to exceed 90 days to each applicant who has substantially complied with all requirements for a regular license. Provisional licenses shall be renewed in the discretion of the department only in cases of extreme hardship and in no case for longer than 90 days.   The obligations and conditions of a provisional license shall be the same as those of a regular license except as otherwise provided for in this article.   The duration limits included in subsection (a) of this Code section shall not apply to one-time provisional licenses issued by the department pursuant to Code Section 37-3-208.1.    History. Code 1981,  37-3-208 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 587,  1/HB 1069.  
 The department may accept proof of accreditation by a nationally recognized healthcare accreditation body, in accordance with specific standards, as evidence of compliance with one or more departmental requirements for issuance or renewal of a license or provisional license.   History. Code 1981,  37-3-209 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 587,  1/HB 1069.  
 The department shall issue a license to a governing body for any adult residential mental health program which meets all the rules and regulations for the class of license applied for. The license shall be nontransferable for a change of location or governing body.   History. Code 1981,  37-3-210 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 587,  1/HB 1069.  
  The department is authorized to deny, suspend, or revoke a license issued under this chapter for a violation of this chapter or a rule or regulation adopted under this chapter or to take other disciplinary actions against licensees as provided in Code Section 31-2-8.   The denial, suspension, or revocation of a license by the department shall be a contested case for purposes of Chapter 13 of Title 50, the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act.    History. Code 1981,  37-3-211 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 587,  1/HB 1069.  
 For the purpose of providing more effective treatment and rehabilitation, the records and name of any mentally ill person who seeks or obtains treatment, therapeutic advice, or counsel from any adult residential mental health program licensed under this article shall be confidential and shall not be revealed except to the extent authorized in writing by the mentally ill person affected or his or her guardian or custodian; furthermore, any communication by such mentally ill person to an authorized employee of any holder of a license shall be deemed confidential; provided, however, that, except for matters privileged under other laws of this state, the records of such person and information about such person shall be produced in response to a valid court order of any court of competent jurisdiction after a full and fair show-cause hearing and in response to a departmental request for access for licensing purposes when such request is accompanied by a written statement that no record of patient identifying information will be made. The protections in this Code section and other provisions of state or federal law of an individual clients identity or communications to the clinical staff of any adult residential mental health program licensed under this article shall not prohibit the use of de-identified data relating to such clients for clinical or programmatic research or education or in presentations about the programs offered by a licensee under this article. Subject to and in compliance with the limitations of any state or federal privacy laws, the department may require at reasonable intervals, and each licensee shall furnish, copies of summary records of each mentally ill person treated or advised pursuant to an adult residential mental health program.   History. Code 1981,  37-3-212 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 587,  1/HB 1069.  
 The department shall conduct periodic on-site inspection of each adult residential mental health program licensed in this state. Such inspection shall include, but shall not be limited to, the premises, staff, persons in care, and documents pertinent to the continued licensing of such adult residential mental health program so that the department may determine whether a provider is operating in compliance with licensing requirements. Each licensee shall permit authorized department representatives to enter upon and inspect any and all premises upon or in which a program is to be conducted, for which a license has been applied, or for which a license has been issued so that verification of compliance with all relevant laws or regulations can be made.   History. Code 1981,  37-3-213 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 587,  1/HB 1069.  
 The powers of the disability services ombudsman established in Part 1 of Article 2 of Chapter 2 of this title shall include oversight of patients of adult residential mental health programs established by this article, with all attendant powers and functions specified by law for such ombudsman.   History. Code 1981,  37-3-214 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 587,  1/HB 1069.  
  On and after January 1, 2024, a facility shall be deemed to be an unlicensed adult residential mental health program if it is unlicensed and not exempt from licensure under this article and:   The facility is providing services and is operating as an adult residential mental health program;   The facility is held out as or represented as providing services and operating as an adult residential mental health program; or   The facility represents itself as a licensed adult residential mental health program.     Any unlicensed adult residential mental health program may be assessed by the department, after opportunity for hearing in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 13 of Title 50, the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act, a civil penalty in the amount of $100.00 per bed per day for each day of violation. The department shall send a notice by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery stating that licensure is required and the departments intent to impose a civil penalty. Such notice shall be deemed to be constructively received on the date of the first attempt to deliver such notice by the United States Postal Service. The department shall take no action to collect such civil penalty until after opportunity for a hearing.   In addition to other remedies available to the department, the civil penalty authorized by subsection (b) of this Code section shall be doubled if the owner or operator continues to operate the unlicensed adult residential mental health program, after receipt of notice pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section.   The owner or operator of an unlicensed adult residential mental health program who is assessed a civil penalty in accordance with this Code section may have review of such civil penalty by appeal to the superior court in the county in which the action arose or to the Superior Court of Fulton County.   Any person who owns or operates an adult residential mental health program in violation of this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor for a first violation, unless such violation is in conjunction with a violation of Article 8 of Chapter 5 of Title 16, in which case such person shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than five years. Upon conviction for a second or subsequent such violation, such person shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than ten years.    History. Code 1981,  37-3-215 , enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 587,  1/HB 1069.  
 The State of Georgia recognizes the capacity of all of its citizens, including those who are developmentally disabled, to be both personally and socially productive; and it further recognizes its obligation to provide aid in the form of a coordinated system of community facilities, programs, and services to developmentally disabled citizens so that they may achieve a greater measure of independence and fulfillment and more fully enjoy their rights of citizenship.    History.  Code 1933,  88-2501, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-5/HB 228.  
 As used in this chapter, the term:    Client means any person with a developmental disability who seeks habilitation under this chapter or any person for whom such habilitation is sought.   Clinical record means a written record pertaining to an individual client and includes habilitation record, progress notes, charts, admission and discharge data, and all other information which is recorded by a facility and which pertains to the clients habilitation. Such other information as may be required by rules and regulations of the board shall also be included.   Community services means all services deemed reasonably necessary by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to provide for the education, training, habilitation, and care of developmentally disabled individuals. Such services shall include, but not be limited to, diagnostic and evaluation services, day-care and training services, work activity services, community residential services such as group family care homes, transportation services, social services, medical services, and specified home services.   Comprehensive habilitation team means and shall consist of a group of persons with special training and experience in the assessment of needs and provision of services for developmentally disabled persons. The group shall include, at a minimum, persons qualified to provide social, psychological, medical, and other services. The department shall specify the qualifications of the individuals who comprise a comprehensive habilitation team and shall ensure that such teams are located throughout the state so as to provide diagnostic, evaluation, and habilitation services for all citizens of Georgia.   Court means:   In the case of an individual who is 17 years of age or older, the probate court of the county of residence of the client or the county in which such client is found. Notwithstanding Code Section 15-9-13, in any case in which the judge of said probate court is unable to hear a case brought under this chapter within the time required for such hearing, said judge shall appoint a person to serve and exercise all the jurisdiction of the probate court in such case. Any person so appointed shall be a member of the State Bar of Georgia and shall be otherwise qualified for his or her duties by training and experience. Such appointment may be made on a case-by-case basis or by making a standing appointment of one or more persons. Any person receiving such standing appointment shall serve at the pleasure of the judge making the appointment or the judges successor in office to hear such cases if and when necessary. The compensation of a person so appointed shall be as agreed upon by the judge who makes the appointment and the person appointed with the approval of the governing authority of the county for which such person is appointed and shall be paid from the county funds of said county. All fees collected for the services of such appointed person shall be paid into the general funds of the county served; or   In the case of an individual who is under the age of 17 years, the juvenile court of the county of residence of the client or the county in which such client is found.     Facility means any state owned or state operated institution utilized 24 hours a day for the habilitation and residence of persons who are developmentally disabled, any facility operated or utilized for such purpose by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or any other federal agency, and any other facility within the State of Georgia approved for such purpose by the department.   Full and fair hearing or hearing means a proceeding before an administrative law judge, under Code Section 37-4-42, or before a court, as defined in paragraph (5) of this Code section. The hearing may be held in a regular courtroom or in an informal setting, in the discretion of the administrative law judge or the court, but the hearing shall be recorded electronically or by a qualified court reporter. The client shall be provided with effective assistance of counsel. If the client cannot afford counsel, the court shall appoint counsel for him or her or the administrative law judge shall have the court appoint such counsel. The client shall have the right to confront and cross-examine witnesses and to offer evidence. The client shall have the right to subpoena witnesses and to require testimony before the administrative law judge or in court in person or by deposition from any physician upon whose evaluation the decision of the administrative law judge or the court may rest. The client shall have the right to obtain a continuance for any reasonable time for good cause shown. The administrative law judge and the court shall apply the rules of evidence applicable in civil cases. The burden of proof shall be upon the party seeking treatment of the client. The standard of proof shall be by clear and convincing evidence. At the request of the client, the public may be excluded from the hearing, and the client need not be present if the court consents; in either of these events, the record shall reflect the reason for the administrative law judges or the courts action.   Habilitation means the process by which program personnel help clients acquire and maintain those life skills which will enable them to cope more effectively with the demands of their own persons and of their environment and to raise the level of their physical, mental, social, and vocational abilities.   Individualized program plan means a proposed habilitation program written in behavioral terms, developed by the comprehensive habilitation team, and specifically tailored to the needs of an individual client. Each plan shall include:   A statement of the nature of the clients specific problems and specific needs;   A description of intermediate and long-range habilitation goals and a projected timetable for their attainment;   A description of the proposed habilitation program and its relation to habilitation goals;   Identification of the facility and types of professional personnel responsible for execution of the clients habilitation program;   A statement of the least restrictive environment necessary to achieve the purposes of habilitation, based upon the needs of the client;   An explanation of criteria for acceptance or rejection of alternative environments for habilitation; and   Proposed criteria for release of the client into less restrictive habilitation environments upon obtaining specified habilitation goals.     Least restrictive alternative, least restrictive environment, or least restrictive appropriate habilitation means that which is the least restrictive available alternative, environment, or appropriate habilitation, as applicable, within the limits of state funds specifically appropriated therefor.   Person in charge of a clients habilitation means a superintendent or regional state hospital administrator of a facility, a case manager, or any other service provider designated by the department to have overall responsibility for implementation of a clients individualized program plan. The department shall designate such a person for each individual ordered to receive services from the department under this chapter.   Representatives means the persons appointed as provided in Code Section 37-4-107 to receive any notice under this chapter.   Superintendent means the chief administrative officer who has overall management responsibility at any facility, other than a regional state hospital or state owned or operated community program, receiving developmentally disabled persons under this chapter or an individual appointed as the designee of such superintendent.     History.  Code 1933,  88-2502, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Ga. L. 1972, p. 700,  3; Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1; Code 1933,  88-2503.12, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1; Ga. L. 1979, p. 734,  1; Ga. L. 1986, p. 1092,  1; Ga. L. 1990, p. 45,  1; Ga. L. 1991, p. 94,  37; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-12; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-13/HB 228; Ga. L. 2011, p. 337,  1/HB 324.  
  The board shall issue regulations to implement this chapter in accordance with the intent of this chapter to safeguard the rights of developmentally disabled persons.   In addition to the other powers provided by this chapter, the department shall have the authority:   To enforce the regulations issued by the board;   To prescribe the forms of applications, records, medical certificates, and any other forms required or used under this chapter and the information required to be contained therein;   To require such reports from any facility as it may find necessary to the performance of its duties or functions;   To visit facilities regularly to review the procedures applied to all clients;   To determine the care, treatment, education, habilitation, or other specialized services being given all clients;   To investigate complaints and make reports and recommendations relative to the same; and   To make effective such procedures and orders as may be appropriate to carry out this chapter.  Notwithstanding the powers granted to the department under this Code section, the requirements of this Code section as to determination of care, treatment, education, habilitation, or other specialized services of clients and the investigation of complaints shall not apply to clients who are being cared for in a facility operated by or under the control of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or any other federal agency.        History.  Code 1933,  88-2511, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Code 1933,  88-2509.1, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1; Ga. L. 1990, p. 45,  1; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-5/HB 228.  
 The State Department of Education is authorized and directed to coordinate its program for training the developmentally disabled with the programs of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. The Department of Education is authorized and empowered to expend funds appropriated to or available to it for such purposes.    History.  Ga. L. 1963, p. 259,  5; Ga. L. 1966, p. 374,  7; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-2, 3-5/HB 228.  
  No hospitalization of a developmentally disabled person lawful before September 1, 1978, shall be deemed unlawful because of the enactment of this chapter. The board is authorized to establish reasonable regulations to require that the superintendent or regional state hospital administrator of each facility where developmentally disabled persons are in residence apply under Code Section 37-4-42 for an order authorizing continued care of a client for whom such care is necessary and who was initially hospitalized under an order of a court prior to September 1, 1978. Such prior orders of hospitalization entered by the courts, unless superseded at an earlier date by an order under this chapter, or unless such prior orders expire under their own terms at an earlier date, shall remain valid until 12 months following September 1, 1978, after which all such orders shall be null and void and of no effect.   No hospitalization of a person with developmental disabilities which was lawful before July 1, 2011, shall be deemed unlawful because of the repeal of former Code sections under Article 2 of this chapter.     History.  Code 1933,  88-2509.6, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-19; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-5/HB 228; Ga. L. 2011, p. 337,  2/HB 324.  
 Any physician, psychologist, peace officer, attorney, or health official or any hospital official, agent, or other person employed by a private hospital or at a facility operated by the state, by a political subdivision of the state, or by a hospital authority created pursuant to the Hospital Authorities Law, Article 4 of Chapter 7 of Title 31 who acts in good faith in compliance with the admission and discharge provisions of this chapter shall be immune from civil or criminal liability for his actions in connection with the admission of a client to a facility or the discharge of a client from a facility.    History.  Code 1933,  88-2503.23, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  24.    Law reviews.    For note on 1991 amendment of this Code section, see 8 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 121 (1992).  
 If, during the period of habilitation authorized by this chapter a client escapes or otherwise leaves a facility without permission, the facility may advise any peace officer that the client has escaped or otherwise left the facility without permission; and the peace officer shall be authorized to take said client into custody and return him to such facility.    History.  Code 1933,  88-2509.9, enacted by Ga. L. 1979, p. 734,  8.  
 Any private facility within this state may be approved as a facility for the habilitation of developmentally disabled persons by the department at the request of or with the consent of the governing officers of such private facility. When so approved, the private facility shall have all powers given to the corresponding type of facility under this chapter for evaluation and habilitation and shall have all duties and obligations of such facilities imposed by this chapter, except that any such private facility may decline to accept any client who is unable to pay it for habilitation services or for whom it has no available space.    History.  Code 1933,  88-2509.5, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-5/HB 228.  
  If it is necessary to continue habilitation of a client beyond the end of the period during which the facility is currently authorized by order of a court or of an administrative law judge to retain the client, the superintendent or regional state hospital administrator, prior to the expiration of the period, shall seek an order authorizing such continued habilitation in the manner provided in this Code section.   A Committee for Continued Habilitation Review shall be established by the superintendent or regional state hospital administrator of each facility and shall consist of not less than five persons who meet the same requirements as those persons eligible to be members of the comprehensive habilitation team as defined in Code Section 37-4-2. The committee may conduct its meetings with a quorum of any three members. The function of this committee shall be to review and evaluate the updated individualized program plan and to report to the superintendent or regional state hospital administrator its recommendations concerning the clients need for continued habilitation. No person who has responsibility for the habilitation of the individual client for whom continued habilitation is requested shall serve on any committee which reviews such individuals case.   If the superintendent or regional state hospital administrator desires to seek an order under this Code section authorizing continued habilitation for up to 12 months beyond the expiration of the currently authorized period of habilitation, he or she shall first file a notice of such intended action with the Committee for Continued Habilitation Review, which shall be forwarded to the committee at least 60 days prior to the expiration of that period.   Within ten days of the date of the notice, the committee shall meet to consider the matter of the superintendents or regional state hospital administrators intention to seek an order for continued habilitation. Prior to the committees meeting, the client and his or her representatives shall be notified of the following: the purpose of such meeting, the time and place of such meeting, their right to be present at such meeting, and their right to present any alternative individualized program plan secured at their expense. In those cases in which the client will not or cannot appear, at least one member of the committee will make all reasonable efforts to interview the client and report to the committee. An updated individualized program plan for the client shall be presented to the committee. The committee shall report to the superintendent or regional state hospital administrator or his or her designee, other than the attending physician or a member of the committee, its written recommendations along with any minority recommendations which may also be submitted. Such report shall specify whether or not the client is a developmentally disabled person requiring continued habilitation and whether continued habilitation is the least restrictive alternative available.   If after considering the committees recommendations and minority recommendations, if any, the superintendent or regional state hospital administrator or his or her designee, other than the attending physician or a member of the committee, determines that the client is not a developmentally disabled person requiring continued habilitation, the client shall be discharged from the facility pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 37-4-44.   If after considering the committees recommendations and minority recommendations, if any, the superintendent or regional state hospital administrator or his or her designee, other than the clients attending physician or a member of the committee, determines that the client is a developmentally disabled person requiring continued habilitation, he or she shall, within ten days after receiving the committees recommendations, serve a petition for an order authorizing continued habilitation along with copies of the updated individualized program plan and the committees report on the designated office within the department and shall also serve such petition along with a copy of the updated individualized program plan on the client. The petition shall contain a plain and simple statement that the client or his or her representatives may file a request for a hearing with the Office of State Administrative Hearings within 15 days after service of the petition, that the client has a right to counsel at the hearing, that the client or his or her representatives may apply immediately to the administrative law judge to have counsel appointed if the client cannot afford counsel, and that the administrative law judge will appoint counsel for the client unless the client indicates in writing that he or she will have retained counsel by the time set for hearing or does not desire to be represented by counsel.   If a hearing is not requested by the client or the representatives within 15 days after service of the petition on the client and his or her representatives, the administrative law judge shall make an independent review of the committees report, the updated individualized program plan, and the petition. If he or she concludes that continued habilitation may not be necessary or if he or she finds any member of the committee so concluded, then he or she shall order that a hearing be held pursuant to subsection (h) of this Code section. If he or she concludes that continued habilitation is necessary, then he or she shall order continued habilitation for a period not to exceed one year.   If a hearing is requested within 15 days after service of the petition on the client and his or her representatives or if the administrative law judge orders a hearing pursuant to subsection (g) of this Code section, the administrative law judge shall set a time and place for the hearing to be held within 25 days of the time the administrative law judge receives the request, but, in any event, no later than the day on which the current order for habilitation expires. Notice of the hearing shall be served on the client, his or her representatives, the facility, and, when appropriate, on counsel for the client. The administrative law judge, within his or her discretion, may grant a change of venue for the convenience of parties or witnesses. Such hearing shall be a full and fair hearing, except that the clients attorney, when the client is unable to attend the hearing and is incapable of consenting to a waiver of his or her appearance, may move that the client not be required to appear; however, the record shall reflect the reasons for the administrative law judges actions.   After such hearing, the administrative law judge may order the clients continued habilitation for a period not to exceed one year, subject to the power of the superintendent or regional state hospital administrator to discharge the client under subsection (b) of Code Section 37-4-44; provided, however, that if the administrative law judge finds that the client is not developmentally disabled or is not in need of care, training, education, habilitation, or other specialized services which the client is then receiving, the administrative law judge shall dismiss the petition.     History.  Code 1933,  88-2507, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1; Ga. L. 1979, p. 734,  7; Ga. L. 1985, p. 926,  2; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-18; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-5/HB 228; Ga. L. 2011, p. 337,  6/HB 324.    Law reviews.    For comment, Involuntary Commitment of People with Mental Retardation: Ensuring All of Georgias Citizens Receive Adequate Procedural Due Process, see 58 Mercer L. Rev. 711 (2007).   For article, Disability Constitutional Law, see 63 Emory L. J. 527 (2014).   For article, Disability Constitutional Law, see 63 Emory L. J. 527 (2014).  
  Each individualized program plan shall be reviewed at regular intervals to determine the clients progress toward the stated goals and objectives of the plan and to determine whether the plan should be modified because of the clients present level of performance. These reviews should be based upon relevant progress notes in the clients clinical record and upon other related information, and a reasonable effort shall be made to obtain and utilize input from the client and his representatives.   Any time a client is found by the person in charge of the clients habilitation no longer to be in need of services from the department, the client shall be discharged.   At least 14 days before discharge of the client or transfer of the client pursuant to a modification of his program plan, notice of such action shall be given to the client, his representatives, and, if the clients program plan was ordered by a court, to the court which entered such order.     History.  Ga. L. 1919, p. 377,  6; Ga. L. 1931, p. 7,  41; Code 1933,  35-306; Code 1933,  88-2509, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Code 1933,  88-2508, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1.  
  The department may designate the state owned or state operated facility to which a client is admitted under this chapter. The department may instead designate a private facility, approved under Code Section 37-4-8, to which the client is to be admitted, if the department has obtained the prior agreement of the private facility and of the client or his representative.   A client who is receiving habilitation at a state owned or state operated facility under this chapter may apply for a transfer at his own expense to a private facility approved under Code Section 37-4-8, if he is able to pay for habilitation at such private facility. If the private facility agrees to accept the client, the department shall transfer the client to that facility.   If a private facility requests the department to take custody of a client who has been receiving habilitation therein under this chapter and if the client meets the criteria for admission under this chapter, then the department shall accept the client and designate the state owned or state operated facility to which the client shall be admitted.   When the needs of the client or efficient utilization of any facility requires, a client may be transferred from one facility to another, and notice of and the reasons for such transfer shall be provided pursuant to subsection (c) of Code Section 37-4-44.     History.  Ga. L. 1956, p. 728,  1; Code 1933,  88-2510, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Code 1933,  88-2503.16, 88-2509.5, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1; Ga. L. 1985, p. 149,  37.  
  The governing authority of the county where the client is found or located shall arrange for initial emergency transport of a client to an emergency receiving facility. Except as otherwise authorized under subsection (b) of this Code section, the governing authority of the county of the clients residence shall arrange for all required transportation for developmental disability services subsequent to the initial transport. The type of vehicle employed shall be determined by the governing authority of the county, provided that, whenever possible, marked vehicles normally used for the transportation of criminals or those accused of crimes shall not be used for the transportation of clients. The court, upon the request of the community developmental disability program, shall order the sheriff to transport the client in such manner as the clients condition demands. At any time such community developmental disability program is satisfied that the client can be transported safely by family members or friends, such private transportation shall be encouraged and authorized. In nonemergency situations, no female client shall be transported at any time without another female in attendance who is not a client, unless such female client is accompanied by her husband, father, adult brother, or adult son.   Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this Code section, when a client is under the care of a facility, the facility shall have the discretion to determine the type of vehicle to safely transport the client and to arrange for such transportation without the need to obtain the prior approval of the governing authority of the county of the clients residence, the court, or the community developmental disability program. This subsection shall not prevent the facility from requesting and receiving transportation services from the governing authority of the county of the clients residence and shall not relieve the county sheriff of the duty of providing transportation. Persons providing transportation are authorized to transport a patient from a sending facility to a receiving facility but shall not release the client under any circumstances except into the custody of the receiving facility. The use of physical restraints to ensure the safe transport of the client shall comply with the requirements of Code Section 37-4-124. When transportation is not provided by the county sheriff, the expense of such transportation shall not be billed to the county governing authority but may be billed to the client and, unless agreed to in writing by the facility, shall not be billed to or considered an obligation of the facility.     History.  Code 1933,  88-2503.17, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1; Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  17.5; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1067,  2; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-6/HB 228.    Cross references.    Manner of marking of law enforcement and emergency vehicles,  40-8-90 et seq.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which amends this Code section, provides, in  19.1, not codified by the General Assembly, that the amendment is repealed on June 30, 1999; however, Ga. L. 1998, p. 870,  1, struck  19.1 of Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which would have repealed the 1993 amendment to this Code section.  
  If a client ordered to receive services from the department as a resident in a facility pursuant to this chapter is eligible for hospital care or treatment by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or any other federal agency, the department, upon receipt of a certificate from such hospital showing that facilities are available and that the client is eligible for care, treatment, education, habilitation, or other specialized services therein, may transfer him to the custody of such agency. No such transfer shall occur if it would be harmful to or less effective in the clients habilitation or if it does not meet the requirements of the clients individualized program plan. When any such person is admitted under this Code section to any such facility within or outside the state, he shall be subject to the rules and regulations of such agency. The superintendent of any facility operated by such agency in which the individual becomes a resident shall, with respect to such individual, be vested with the same powers and duties as the superintendent of facilities within this state with respect to all matters under this chapter. Jurisdiction is retained in the appropriate courts of this state at any time to inquire into the condition of such an individual, to determine the necessity for continuance of his care in said facility, and to order his release; and every such person shall retain the rights delineated in Code Section 37-4-100. Every transfer of a client by the department pursuant to this Code section is so conditioned.   An order of a court of competent jurisdiction of another state, territory, or possession, or of the District of Columbia authorizing hospitalization of a developmentally disabled person by any agency of the United States shall have the same force and effect as to the person while in this state as in the jurisdiction in which is situated the court entering the order; and the courts of the state, territory, possession, or district issuing such order shall be deemed to have retained jurisdiction of the person so hospitalized for the purpose of inquiring into his condition and determining the necessity for continuance of his hospitalization as is provided in subsection (a) of this Code section with respect to clients ordered to receive services from the department by the courts of this state. Consent is given to the application of the law of the state, territory, possession, or district in which is located the court issuing the order for hospitalization, with respect to the authority of the superintendent of any hospital or institution operated in this state by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or any other federal agency, to retain custody, transfer, furlough, or discharge the person therein hospitalized.     History.  Code 1933,  88-2509.4, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1; Ga. L. 1990, p. 45,  1; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-5/HB 228.  
 Upon application to the department by a parent, spouse, next of kin, or guardian or by an agency of another state in which a person is hospitalized, the person shall be eligible to be admitted to a facility in the State of Georgia if found by the department to be a legal resident of Georgia. The department shall designate a facility to which such person is to be transported at no expense to the State of Georgia. The regional state hospital administrator of such facility and the next of kin or guardian of the person shall be notified of this action. The regional state hospital administrator shall be authorized to accept the person for a period not to exceed five days, unless prior to the expiration of such period proceedings have been initiated under Code Section 37-4-42 for an order to receive services from the department. After a thorough physical and mental examination has been made by the medical staff of such facility, the regional state hospital administrator of the facility or his designee is authorized to initiate a petition under this chapter, if this is necessary. Such application shall be forwarded to the court of the county in which that facility is located for action pursuant to this chapter in relation thereto.    History.  Code 1933,  88-2509.8, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-18.  
 If a client who is a resident in a facility is discovered not to be a resident of Georgia, the regional state hospital administrator of the facility in which the client is a resident shall seek his transfer to the custody of authorities of the state of his residence or to a publicly owned or publicly operated facility in that state. This Code section shall not apply to persons who are in residence at any facility operated by or under the control of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or any other federal agency.    History.  Code 1933,  88-2509.3, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1; Ga. L. 1990, p. 45,  1; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-18.    Cross references.    Rights of citizens of other states while in Georgia generally,  1-2-9 .  
 It is the policy of this state that no person shall be denied habilitation services for a developmental disability nor shall services be delayed at a facility of the state or a political subdivision of the state because of inability to pay for such habilitation services.    History.  Code 1933,  88-2503.3, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-7/HB 228.  
  The responsibility for paying the expenses for transporting, examining, and caring for clients, which expenses are not provided for under Chapter 9 of this title, relating to the payment of costs of care of persons admitted to state institutions under the department, shall be in the following order:   The client or his estate;   Persons legally obligated or legally responsible for the support of the client;   The county of the clients legal residence;   The department, when the General Assembly appropriates funds for such purpose.     The department is authorized to issue rules and regulations governing the provisions of this Code section as it relates to the department.     History.  Code 1933,  88-2508, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Code 1933,  88-2509.7, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1.    Cross references.    Payment of costs of hospital care for the indigent,  31-8-1 et seq.   Medical assistance generally,  49-4-140 et seq.  
  Except as provided in this Code section, the expenses of any hearing held under this chapter by a court or by an administrative law judge, including attorneys fees authorized by paragraph (1) of subsection (b) of this Code section and including expenses authorized by paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of this Code section, shall be paid by the county in which the client has his or her residence or, if the client is a transient, by the county in which the client was initially taken into the custody of the state. Payment by such county of the hearing expenses shall only be required if the person who actually presides over the hearing executes an affidavit or includes a statement in his or her final order relating to the hearing that the assets of the client, his or her estate, and any persons legally obligated to support the client appear to be insufficient to defray such expenses, based upon all relevant information available to the person who actually presides over the hearing. Such affidavit or statement may include the clients name, address, and age. The cost on appeal to the appropriate court shall be the same as provided for in other appeals from the probate and juvenile courts.   Expenses of any hearing held under this chapter shall include:   The fee to be paid to an attorney appointed under this chapter to represent a patient at such hearing. Such fee shall be as agreed between the attorney and the appointing court but shall not exceed an amount determined under the fee schedule followed by the county when computing the fees to be paid to an attorney who has been appointed to represent an indigent criminal defendant, plus actual expenses which an attorney may incur and which have been approved by the court holding the hearing. In exceptional circumstances, the attorney may apply to the superior court of the judicial circuit in which the hearing was held for an order granting reasonable fees in excess of the amounts specified in this paragraph;   The fee to be paid to the court to defray the cost of clerical help and the cost of any additional office space and equipment required for the conduct of such hearing. In hearings conducted pursuant to Code Section 37-4-42 such fee shall be $20.00, and in all other hearings under this chapter such fee shall be $40.00, excluding attorneys fees and expenses of the administrative law judge; and   The fee to be paid to an administrative law judge appointed pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (5) of Code Section 37-4-2 to conduct a hearing. Such fee shall be as agreed between the administrative law judge and the appointing court, but shall not exceed an amount determined under the fee schedule followed by the county when computing the fees to be paid to an attorney who has been appointed to represent an indigent criminal defendant plus actual expenses which the administrative law judge may incur and which have been approved by the court holding the hearing. In exceptional circumstances, the administrative law judge may apply to the superior court of the judicial circuit in which the hearing was held for an order granting reasonable fees in excess of the amounts specified in this paragraph. The $40.00 court cost authorized by paragraph (2) of this subsection shall also be authorized to defray the cost of clerical help and additional office space and equipment required for the conduct of such hearings.       History.  Code 1933,  88-2508, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Code 1933,  88-2509.2, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1; Ga. L. 1979, p. 1042,  3; Ga. L. 1985, p. 875,  2; Ga. L. 2011, p. 337,  7/HB 324.  
 Clients shall retain all rights and privileges granted other persons or citizens. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, no person who is receiving or has received services for a developmental disability shall be deprived of any civil, political, personal, or property rights or be considered legally incompetent for any purpose without due process of law.    History.  Code 1933,  88-2503.1, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-7/HB 228.    Cross references.    Rights of persons generally, T. 1, C. 2.   Capacity of mentally incompetent persons to enter into contracts,  13-3-24 .   Sterilization of mentally incompetent persons,  31-20-3.   Testamentary capacity,  53-4-10 et seq.  
 It shall be the responsibility of the department to see that every client is given the opportunity to secure legal counsel at his own expense to represent him in connection with private, personal, domestic, business, civil, criminal, and all other legal matters in which he may be involved during habilitation in a facility.    History.  Code 1933,  88-2503.15, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1.    Cross references.    Right to legal counsel generally, U.S. Const., amend. 6, and Ga. Const. 1983, Art. I, Sec. I, Para. XI.  
  Each client in a facility shall have the right to communicate freely and privately with persons outside the facility and to receive visitors inside the facility.   Except as otherwise provided in this Code section, each client shall be allowed to receive and send sealed, unopened mail; and no clients incoming or outgoing mail shall be opened, delayed, held, or censored by the facility.   If there are reasonable grounds to believe that incoming mail contains items or substances which may be dangerous to the client or others, the superintendent or regional state hospital administrator may direct reasonable examination of such mail and, after examination, may regulate the disposition of such items or substances therein found. All writings must be presented to the client within 24 hours of inspection.   The superintendent or regional state hospital administrator may apply to the court for a temporary order to restrict outgoing mail. If the court determines that probable cause exists that such mail is dangerous to the client or others, the court may order such mail temporarily restricted, provided that a full and fair hearing shall be held within five days after the issuance of such temporary order to determine whether or not an order of restriction for an extended time shall issue. In no event shall mail be restricted pursuant to such temporary order for more than five days after the date of the temporary order. A full and fair hearing shall be held after the issuance of the temporary order. If, at such hearing, the clients outgoing mail is determined to be dangerous to the patient or others, the court may order such mail restricted for an extended period not to exceed 30 days. Restrictions for extended periods may be renewed for additional periods not to exceed 30 days each, provided that no such restriction shall be renewed except upon a renewed finding, at another full and fair hearing for each such renewal, that such mail is dangerous to the client or others.   If an injunction against the sending of mail by a client is issued by a court, the superintendent or regional state hospital administrator shall restrict outgoing mail as provided by the order of the court.   No restrictions of either incoming or outgoing mail under subsection (c) or (d) of this Code section shall exceed a period of five days, notwithstanding the authority to restrict such mail for longer periods, provided that such restrictions may be continued as necessary for periods not to exceed five days each upon determination by the superintendent or regional state hospital administrator, prior to each continuation, that such mail continues to be dangerous to the client or others; provided, further, that, in the case of outgoing mail, such continuation periods in the aggregate shall not exceed the restriction period authorized in the court order.   Correspondence of the client with his attorney shall not be restricted in any manner under this Code section. Correspondence of the client with public officials shall not be restricted in any manner under subsection (c) of this Code section.   Each time a clients incoming mail is ordered examined by the superintendent or regional state hospital administrator and each time a clients outgoing mail is ordered examined by a temporary court order, written notice of such order and notice of a right to a full and fair hearing within five days after such temporary court order shall be served on the client and his representatives as provided in Code Section 37-4-107.   The circumstances surrounding the examination of any mail under subsection (c), (d), (e), or (f) of this Code section shall be recorded on the clients clinical record.   The superintendent or regional state hospital administrator is authorized to establish reasonable regulations governing visitors, visiting hours, and the use of telephones by clients.     History.  Code 1933,  88-2503.7, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-19.  
 A clients rights to his personal effects shall be respected. The superintendent or regional state hospital administrator may take temporary custody of such effects when required for medical reasons. The facility shall make reasonable efforts to assure the safety of the clients belongings, but no employee or staff member shall be responsible for loss of or damage to such property where reasonable safety precautions have been taken.    History.  Code 1933,  88-2503.8, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-19.  
 Each client in a facility who is eligible to vote shall be given his right to vote in primary, special, and general elections and in referendums. The superintendent or regional state hospital administrator of each facility shall permit and reasonably assist clients:    To obtain voter registration forms, applications for absentee ballots, and absentee ballots;   To comply with other requirements which are prerequisite for voting; and   To vote by absentee ballot if necessary.     History.  Code 1933,  88-2503.9, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1; Ga. L. 1995, p. 10,  37; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-19.    Cross references.    Right to elective franchise generally, U.S. Const., amend. 15; Ga. Const. 1983, Art. II, Sec. I, Para. III; and  1-2-6 .   Absentee voting,  21-2-380 et seq.  
 If a client wishes to be employed outside a facility and if such employment will aid in the clients habilitation, he shall be assisted in his efforts to secure suitable employment and all benefits flowing from such employment. The department shall encourage such employment of clients and shall promote the training of clients for gainful employment after discharge. All benefits of such employment shall accrue solely to the client.    History.  Code 1933,  88-2503.10, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1.  
 The rights of any child receiving habilitation in a facility to an appropriate education at public expense shall not be abridged during hospitalization, and the special educational needs of each child shall be individually considered and respected. The department and the State Department of Education shall ensure that education is provided for all clients of school age who are in any state owned, state operated, or any other designated facility.    History.  Code 1933,  88-2503.11, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1.  
  At the time a client is admitted to any facility under this chapter, that facility shall make diligent efforts to secure the names and addresses of at least two representatives, which names and addresses shall be entered in the clients clinical record.   The client may designate one representative; the second representative or, in the absence of designation of one representative by the client, both representatives shall be selected by the facility. If the facility is to select both representatives, it must make one selection from among the following persons in the order of listing: the clients mental health care agent, legal guardian, spouse, adult child, parent, attorney, adult next of kin, or adult friend. The second representative shall also be selected from the above list but without regard to the order of listing, provided that the second representative shall not be the person who filed the petition seeking an order for the client to receive services from the department.   If the facility is unable to secure at least two representatives after diligent search or if the department is the guardian of the client, that fact shall be entered in the clients clinical record and the facility shall apply to the court in the county of the clients residence for the appointment of a guardian ad litem, which guardian ad litem shall not be the department. On application of any person or on its own motion, the court may also appoint a guardian ad litem for a client for whom two representatives have been named whenever the appointment of a guardian ad litem is deemed necessary for protection of the clients rights. Such guardian ad litem shall act as representative of the client on whom notice is to be served under this chapter and shall have the powers granted to representatives by this chapter.   At any time notice is required by this chapter to be given to the clients representatives, such notice shall be served on the representatives designated under this Code section. The clients guardian ad litem, if any, shall likewise be served. Unless otherwise provided, notice may be served in person or by first-class mail. When notice is served by mail, a record shall be made of the date of mailing and shall be placed in the clients clinical record. Service shall be completed upon mailing.   At any time notice is required by this chapter to be given to the client, the date on which notice is given shall be entered on the clients clinical record. If the client is unable to comprehend a written notice, a reasonable effort shall be made to explain the notice to him or her.   At the time a court enters an order pursuant to this chapter, such order and notice of the date of entry of the order shall be served on the client and his or her representatives as provided in subsection (d) of this Code section.   Notice of a clients admission to a facility shall be given to his or her representatives in writing.   In every instance in which a court shall appoint a guardian ad litem for any person pursuant to the terms of this chapter, such guardianship shall be for the limited purpose stated in the order of the court and shall expire automatically after 90 days or after a lesser time stated in the order. The responsibility of the guardian ad litem shall not extend beyond the specific purpose of the appointment.     History.  Code 1933,  88-2503.18, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1; Ga. L. 2012, p. 775,  37/HB 942; Ga. L. 2022, p. 611,  2-26/HB 752.    The 2022 amendment,  effective July 1, 2022, inserted mental health care agent, in the second sentence of subsection (b); added or her at the end of subsection (e); and inserted or her in subsections (f) and (g).    Cross references.    Guardians of incapacitated adults, T. 29, C. 5.  
  At any time and without notice, a person detained by a facility or a mental health care agent, legal guardian, relative, or friend on behalf of such person may petition as provided by law for a writ of habeas corpus to question the cause and legality of detention and to request any court of competent jurisdiction on its own initiative to issue a writ for release, provided that in the case of any such petition for the release of a person detained in a facility pursuant to a court order under Code Section 17-7-130 or 17-7-131, a copy of the petition, along with proper certificate of service, shall also be served upon the presiding judge of the court ordering such detention and the prosecuting attorney for such court, which service may be made by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery, return receipt requested.   A client or his or her representatives may file a petition in the appropriate court alleging that the client is being unjustly denied a right or privilege granted by this chapter or that a procedure authorized by this chapter is being abused. An oral statement by a client or his or her representatives to any staff member or other service provider alleging that the clients rights or privileges under this chapter are being violated shall be immediately transmitted to the superintendent, the regional state hospital administrator, or the administrative head of the facility responsible for the clients treatment or the other person in charge of the clients habilitation plan, who shall assist the client in preparing his or her petition under this Code section. Upon the filing of such a petition, the court shall have the authority to conduct a judicial inquiry and to issue appropriate orders to correct any abuse under this chapter.     History.  Code 1933,  88-2503.14, 88-2505, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1; Ga. L. 1980, p. 678,  3; Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589,  3; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-13; Ga. L. 2022, p. 611,  2-27/HB 752.    The 2022 amendment,  effective July 1, 2022, substituted a mental health care agent, legal guardian, relative, or friend for a relative or friend in subsection (a).    Cross references.    Habeas corpus generally, T. 9, C. 14.   Penalty for malicious confinement of sane person in asylum,  16-5-43 .    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589,  16, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that the amendment to this Code section is applicable with respect to notices delivered on or after July 1, 2000.  
 The department shall establish procedures whereby complaints of the client or complaints of the staff concerning admission, treatment, or habilitation can be speedily heard. Clients shall receive reasonable notice of such procedures. Final decisions shall be made by the superintendent, the regional state hospital administrator, or an advisory committee, whichever is appropriate, with the right of appeal to the commissioner or his or her designee. The board shall establish rules and regulations for the implementation of such procedures. However, the client shall not be required to utilize these procedures in lieu of other available legal remedies.    History.  Code 1933,  88-2503.22, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1; Ga. L. 1987, p. 3,  37; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-14; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-15/HB 228.    Cross references.    Reports and investigations regarding mistreatment of hospital patients, residents of long-term care facilities, and others,  31-7-9, 31-8-50 et seq., 31-8-80 et seq., 31-8-100 et seq.  
 The client, the clients representatives, or the clients attorney may appeal any order of the probate court or administrative law judge rendered in a proceeding under this chapter to the superior court of the county in which the proceeding was held, except as otherwise provided in Article 6 of Chapter 9 of Title 15, and may appeal any order of the juvenile court rendered in a proceeding under this chapter to the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court. The appeal to the superior court shall be made in the same manner as appeals from the probate court to the superior court, except that the appeal shall be heard before the court sitting without a jury as soon as practicable but not later than 30 days following the date on which the appeal is filed with the clerk of the superior court. The appeal from the order of the juvenile court to the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court shall be as provided by law but shall be heard as expeditiously as possible. The client must pay all costs upon filing any appeal authorized under this Code section or must make an affidavit that he or she is unable to pay costs. The client shall retain all rights of review of any order of the superior court, the Court of Appeals, or the Supreme Court as provided by law. The client shall have a right to counsel or, if unable to afford counsel, shall have counsel appointed for the client by the court. The appeal rights provided to the client, the clients representatives, or the clients attorney in this Code section are in addition to any other appeal rights which the parties may have, and the provision of the right for the client, the clients representatives, or the clients attorney to appeal does not deny the right to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to appeal under the general appeal provisions of Code Section 5-3-4.    History.  Code 1933,  88-2503.19, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1; Ga. L. 1986, p. 982,  12; Ga. L. 1994, p. 1072,  3; Ga. L. 1995, p. 10,  37; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-2/HB 228; Ga. L. 2011, p. 337,  8/HB 324; Ga. L. 2016, p. 883,  3-13, 3-14/HB 927; Ga. L. 2022, p. 767,  2-28/HB 916.    Delayed effective date.    Code Section 37-4-110 is set out twice in this Code. This version, as set out above, is effective July 1, 2023. For version effective until July 1, 2023, see the preceding version.    The 2022 amendment,  effective July 1, 2023, substituted Code Section 5-3-4 for Code Sections 5-3-2 and 5-3-3 at the end of this Code section. See Editors notes for applicability.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 2022, p. 767,  3-1/HB 916, not codified by the General Assembly, makes this Code section applicable to petitions for review filed in superior or state court on or after July 1, 2023.  
 The client, the clients representatives, or the clients attorney may appeal any order of the probate court or administrative law judge rendered in a proceeding under this chapter to the superior court of the county in which the proceeding was held, except as otherwise provided in Article 6 of Chapter 9 of Title 15, and may appeal any order of the juvenile court rendered in a proceeding under this chapter to the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court. The appeal to the superior court shall be made in the same manner as appeals from the probate court to the superior court, except that the appeal shall be heard before the court sitting without a jury as soon as practicable but not later than 30 days following the date on which the appeal is filed with the clerk of the superior court. The appeal from the order of the juvenile court to the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court shall be as provided by law but shall be heard as expeditiously as possible. The client must pay all costs upon filing any appeal authorized under this Code section or must make an affidavit that he or she is unable to pay costs. The client shall retain all rights of review of any order of the superior court, the Court of Appeals, or the Supreme Court as provided by law. The client shall have a right to counsel or, if unable to afford counsel, shall have counsel appointed for the client by the court. The appeal rights provided to the client, the clients representatives, or the clients attorney in this Code section are in addition to any other appeal rights which the parties may have, and the provision of the right for the client, the clients representatives, or the clients attorney to appeal does not deny the right to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to appeal under the general appeal provisions of Code Sections 5-3-2 and 5-3-3.    History.  Code 1933,  88-2503.19, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1; Ga. L. 1986, p. 982,  12; Ga. L. 1994, p. 1072,  3; Ga. L. 1995, p. 10,  37; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-2/HB 228; Ga. L. 2011, p. 337,  8/HB 324; Ga. L. 2016, p. 883,  3-13, 3-14/HB 927.    Delayed effective date.    Code Section 37-4-110 is set out twice in this Code. This version is effective until July 1, 2023. For version effective July 1, 2023, see the following version.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1986, p. 982,  25, not codified by the General Assembly, provided that that Act would apply to all cases filed on or after July 1, 1986.   Ga. L. 2016, p. 883,  1-1/HB 927, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: This Act shall be known and may be cited as the Appellate Jurisdiction Reform Act of 2016.    Ga. L. 2016, p. 883,  6-1/HB 927, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: Part III of this Act shall become effective on January 1, 2017, and shall apply to cases in which a notice of appeal or application to appeal is filed on or after such date.    Law reviews.    For article on the 2016 amendment of this Code section, see 33 Georgia St. U. L. Rev. 205 (2016).  
 The clients dignity as an individual shall be respected at all times and upon all occasions, including any occasion wherein the client is taken into custody, detained, or transported. Except where required under conditions of extreme urgency, those procedures, facilities, vehicles, and restraining devices normally utilized for criminals or those accused of crime shall not be used in connection with the developmentally disabled.    History.  Code 1933,  88-2503.2, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-5/HB 228.  
 It is the policy of the state that the least restrictive alternative placement be secured for every client at every stage of his habilitation. It shall be the duty of the facility to assist the client in securing placement in noninstitutional community facilities and programs.    History.  Code 1933,  88-2503.21, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1.  
  Each client in a facility and each person receiving services for a developmental disability shall receive habilitation that is suited to his needs and is the least restrictive appropriate habilitation. Such habilitation shall be administered skillfully, safely, and humanely with full respect for his dignity and personal integrity.   In order to assure proper habilitation, it shall be the duty of the superintendent or regional state hospital administrator of a facility to ensure that each client receives such medical attention as is suitable to his condition.   Each client shall have the right to participate in his habilitation. The department shall issue regulations to ensure that each client participates in his habilitation to the maximum extent possible. Unless the disclosure to the client is determined by the superintendent or regional state hospital administrator or person having charge of the clients habilitation to be detrimental to the physical or mental health of the client and unless a notation to that effect is made a part of the clients record, the client shall have the right to reasonable access to review his medical file, to be told his diagnosis, to be consulted on the habilitation recommendation, and to be fully informed concerning his medication, including its side effects and available treatment alternatives.   If a client admitted to a facility under this chapter is able to secure the services of a private physician or psychologist, he shall be allowed to see his physician or psychologist at any reasonable time. The superintendent or regional state hospital administrator is authorized and directed to establish regulations designed to facilitate examination and treatment which a client may request from such private physician or psychologist.   Every client admitted to a facility under this chapter shall be examined by the staff of the admitting facility as soon as possible after his admission.     History.  Code 1933,  88-2503.4, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  25; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-19; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-7/HB 228.    Law reviews.    For note on 1991 amendment of this Code section, see 8 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 121 (1992).  
  It shall be the policy of this state to recognize the personal physical integrity of all clients.   It shall be the policy of this state to protect reasonably the right of every individual to refuse medication, except in cases where a physician determines that refusal would be unsafe to the client or others. If the client continues to refuse medication after such initial emergency treatment, a concurring opinion from a second physician must be obtained before medication can be continued without the clients consent. Further, in connection with any hearing under this chapter, the client has the right to appear and testify as free from any side effects or adverse effects of the medication as is reasonably possible.   Any client objecting to the treatment being administered to him shall have a right to request a protective order pursuant to Code Section 37-4-108.   Except as provided in subsections (b) and (e) of this Code section, consent to medical treatment and surgery shall be obtained and regulated by Chapter 9 of Title 31.   In cases of grave emergency where the medical staff of the facility in which a developmentally disabled person has been accepted for habilitation determines that immediate surgical or other intervention is necessary to prevent serious physical consequences or death and where delay in obtaining consent would create a grave danger to the physical health of such person, as determined by at least two physicians, then essential surgery or other intervention may be administered without the consent of the person, the spouse, next of kin, attorney, guardian, or any other person. In such cases, a record of the determination of the physicians shall be entered into the medical records of the client and this will be proper consent for such surgery or other intervention. Such consent will be valid, notwithstanding the type of admission of the client, and it shall also be valid whether or not the client has been adjudged incompetent. This Code section is intended to have application to those individuals who, as a result of their advanced age, impaired thinking, or other disability, cannot reasonably understand the consequences of withholding consent to surgery or other intervention as contemplated by this Code section. Any physician, agent, employee, or official who obtains consent or relies on such consent as authorized by this Code section and who acts in good faith and within the provisions of this chapter shall be immune from civil or criminal liability for his actions in connection with said obtaining or relying upon such consent. Actual notice of any action taken pursuant to this Code section shall be given to the client and the spouse, next of kin, attorney, guardian, or representative of the client as soon as practically possible.     History.  Code 1933,  88-2516, enacted by Ga. L. 1977, p. 886,  1; Code 1933,  88-2503.6, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1; Ga. L. 1995, p. 1302,  13; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-5/HB 228.  
  Mistreatment, neglect, or abuse in any form of any client is prohibited. Medication in quantities that interfere with the clients habilitation program is prohibited. All medication, seclusion, or physical restraints are to be used solely for the purposes of providing effective habilitation and protecting the safety of the client and other persons. Restraints shall not be employed as punishment, for the convenience of the staff, or as a substitute for programs.   Physical restraints shall not be applied unless:   A person who is involved in the care and treatment of the client as a physician, psychologist, or clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric/mental health determines such restraints to be necessary in order to prevent a client from seriously injuring himself or herself or others; or   A professional staff member determines that there exists an emergency requiring the use of such restraints. For purposes of this Code section, an emergency exists when the client presents an immediate danger of injury to himself or herself or others. The authorization of physical restraints by a professional staff member shall be immediately reported to a physician and any psychologist involved in the care and treatment of the client. A physicians, psychologists, or clinical nurse specialists in psychiatric/mental health order for restraints shall expire after 12 hours, at which time a new determination of the need for restraints must be made. The physician, psychologist involved in the care and treatment of the client, or clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric/mental health involved in the care and treatment of the client must issue a written order for each use of restraints. The facility shall have written policies and procedures which govern the use of such restraints and which clearly delineate, in descending order, the personnel who can authorize the use of restraints in emergency situations.     Every use of physical restraints shall be made a part of the residents clinical record. The following shall be documented in the record:   The reasons for applying the restraint;   The signature of the person authorizing the restraint;   The time of application and removal of the restraint; and   A record of checks at least every 30 minutes by a staff member trained in use of restraints and the signature of the person making such checks. A copy of each use of restraint shall be forwarded to the superintendent or regional state hospital administrator for review.     For the purposes of this Code section, those devices which restrain movement but are applied for protection from accidental injury or are required for the medical treatment of the clients physical condition or for supportive or corrective needs of the client shall not be considered physical restraints. However, devices used in such situations must be authorized and applied in compliance with the facilitys policies and procedures. The use of any such devices shall be recorded in writing as a part of the clients individualized program plan.     History.  Code 1933,  88-2503.5, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1; Ga. L. 1979, p. 734,  2; Ga. L. 1982, p. 3,  37; Ga. L. 1997, p. 911,  5; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-19.    Cross references.    Abuse and mistreatment of hospital patients, residents of long-term care facilities, and other institutions,  31-7-9, 31-8-50 et seq., 31-8-80 et seq., 31-8-100 et seq.  
  A clinical record for each client shall be maintained. Authorized release of the record shall include but not be limited to examination of the original record, copies of all or any portion of the record, or disclosure of information from the record, except for matters privileged under the laws of this state.  Such examination shall be conducted on hospital premises at reasonable times determined by the facility.  The clinical record shall not be a public record and no part of it shall be released except:   When the superintendent or regional state hospital administrator of the facility where the record is kept deems it essential for continued habilitation, a copy of the record or parts thereof may be released to persons in charge of a clients habilitation when and as necessary for the habilitation of the client;   A copy of the record may be released to any person or entity designated in writing by the client or, if appropriate, the parent of a minor, the legal guardian of an adult or minor, or a person to whom legal custody of a minor client has been given by order of a court;   (2.1)  A copy of the record of a deceased client or deceased former client may be released to or in response to a valid subpoena of a coroner or medical examiner under Chapter 16 of Title 45, except for matters privileged under the laws of this state;    When the habilitation plan of the client involves transfer of that client to another facility or involves the receipt of community services by the client, a copy of the record may be released to that facility or to that entity rendering such community services;   A copy of the record or any part thereof may be disclosed to any employee or staff member of the facility when it is necessary for the proper habilitation of the client;   A copy of the record shall be released to the clients attorney if the attorney so requests and the client, or the clients legal guardian, consents to the release;   In a bona fide medical emergency, as determined by a physician treating the client, the superintendent or regional state hospital administrator may release a copy of the record to the treating physician;   At the request of the client, the clients legal guardian, or the clients attorney, the record shall be produced by the entity having custody thereof at any hearing held under this chapter;   A copy of the record shall be produced in response to a valid subpoena or order of any court of competent jurisdiction, except for matters privileged under the laws of this state;   (8.1)  A copy of the record may be released to the legal representative of a deceased clients estate, except for matters privileged under the laws of this state;    Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a law enforcement officer in the course of a criminal investigation may be informed as to whether a person is or has been a client in a state facility, as well as the clients current address, if known;   A copy of the clients clinical record may be released under the conditions and for the uses and purposes set forth in Code Section 31-7-6; and   Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a law enforcement officer in the course of investigating the commission of a crime on the premises of a facility covered by this chapter or against facility personnel or a threat to commit such a crime may be informed as to the circumstances of the incident, including whether the individual allegedly committing or threatening to commit a crime is or has been a client in the facility, and the name, address, and last known whereabouts of any alleged client perpetrator.     In connection with any hearing held under this chapter, any physician, including any psychiatrist, or any psychologist who is treating or who has treated the client shall be authorized to give evidence as to any matter concerning the client, including evidence as to communications otherwise privileged under Code Section 24-5-501, 24-12-1, or 43-39-16.   Any disclosure authorized by this Code section or any unauthorized disclosure of confidential or privileged client information or communications shall not in any way abridge or destroy the confidential or privileged character thereof, except for the purpose for which such authorized disclosure is made. Any person making a disclosure authorized by subsection (a) of this Code section shall not be liable to the client or any other person, notwithstanding any contrary provision of Code Section 24-5-501, 24-12-1, or 43-39-16.     History.  Code 1933,  88-2503.12, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1; Ga. L. 1979, p. 734,  3; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  26; Ga. L. 1994, p. 1072,  4; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-19; Ga. L. 2011, p. 99,  54/HB 24.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 2011, p. 99,  101/HB 24, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that this Act shall apply to any motion made or hearing or trial commenced on or after January 1, 2013.    Code Commission notes.    Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 1994, a semicolon was substituted for a period at the end of paragraph (a)(8.1).    Cross references.    Release of medical information generally,  24-9-40 et seq.    Law reviews.    For note on 1991 amendment of this Code section, see 8 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 121 (1992).   For article, Evidence, see 27 Ga. St. U. L. Rev. 1 (2011).   For article on the 2011 amendment of this Code section, see 28 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 1 (2011).  
  Except as provided in subsection (c) of Code Section 37-4-122, every client shall have the right to examine all medical records kept in the clients name by the department or the facility where the client was receiving services.   Every client shall have the right to request that the department or facility correct any inaccurate information found in his medical record.   The board shall promulgate reasonable rules and regulations to implement subsections (a) and (b) of this Code section. Nothing contained in this Code section shall be construed to require the deletion of information by the department nor constrain the department from destroying client records after a reasonable passage of time.   Notwithstanding paragraphs (7) and (8) of Code Section 15-9-37, all files and records of a court in a proceeding under this chapter shall remain sealed and shall be open to inspection only upon order of the court, issued after notice to the client and subject to the provisions of Code Section 37-4-125 pertaining to the medical portions of the record, provided that the court may refer to such files and records in any subsequent proceeding under this chapter concerning the same client, on condition that the files and records of such subsequent proceeding will then be sealed in accordance with this subsection. The court may permit authorized representatives of recognized organizations compiling statistics for proper purposes to inspect and make abstracts from official records but without personal identifying information and under whatever conditions upon their use and distribution that the court may deem proper, and the court may punish by contempt any violations of those conditions. Otherwise, inspection of the sealed files and records may be permitted only by an order of the court upon petition by the person who is the subject of the records and only by those persons named in the order.     History.  Code 1933,  88-2503.13, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1.    Cross references.    Release of medical information generally,  24-12-1 et seq.  
 The clients attorney shall have the right, at reasonable times, to interview the persons in charge of the clients habilitation in any facility and to have the clients records interpreted by them. The superintendent or regional state hospital administrator is authorized and directed to establish reasonable regulations to make available to the clients attorney all such information in the possession of the facility as the attorney requires in order to advise and represent the client concerning his habilitation.    History.  Code 1933,  88-2503.20, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-19.    Cross references.    Release of medical information generally,  24-12-1 et seq.  
 This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Community Services Act for the Developmentally Disabled.    History.  Ga. L. 1972, p. 700,  1; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-5/HB 228.  
 Since the State of Georgia accepts a responsibility for its developmentally disabled citizens and an obligation to them which it must discharge, facilities, programs, and services shall be made available to meet the needs of each developmentally disabled person during his entire lifetime. The primary purpose of this chapter shall be to provide community based alternatives to total institutional care so that developmentally disabled individuals can continue to live in their home communities.    History.  Ga. L. 1972, p. 700,  2; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-5/HB 228; Ga. L. 2010, p. 878,  37/HB 1387.  
 As used in this chapter, the term community services means a coordinated, consumer and family centered, consumer and family directed, and comprehensive system of community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance that enable individuals with developmental disabilities to exercise self-determination, be independent, be productive, and be integrated and included in all facets of community life. Such services shall include those deemed reasonably necessary by the department to provide for education, training, rehabilitation, and care of individuals with developmental disabilities and shall include but not be limited to: diagnostic and evaluation services; day-care and training services; work-activity services; support coordination, day support, and personal support services; supportive employment services; community residential services such as group family-care homes, community living arrangements, and host homes; transportation services incidental to educational, training, and rehabilitation services; technology and durable equipment support and services; social services; medical services; and specified home services.    History.  Code 1933,  88-2502, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Ga. L. 1972, p. 700,  3; Ga. L. 1978, p. 1826,  1; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-16/HB 228.  
  This chapter shall apply to all county boards of health in Georgia and to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.   Developmentally disabled individuals who are not eligible to receive community services from other public agencies and developmentally disabled individuals who are not in fact receiving such services shall be entitled to receive all services afforded under this chapter.     History.  Ga. L. 1972, p. 700,  4; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-2, 3-5/HB 228.  
  County boards of health shall, subject to limitations herein specified, provide community services and shall employ such personnel as may be needed to serve developmentally disabled individuals in their respective counties.   The district health department shall be the source of referral and information for the families or guardians of developmentally disabled individuals providing lifetime advice and guidance and referral to appropriate services.     History.  Ga. L. 1972, p. 700,  5; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-5/HB 228.  
  Each county board of health shall, on or before July 1, 1973, submit to the department a plan for providing comprehensive community services to developmentally disabled individuals residing in the county, provided that any group of counties comprising a health district may join and submit one plan covering the entire health district. The plan shall state:   An estimate of the number of developmentally disabled individuals residing in the county who require services afforded by this chapter;   A description of the specific services required by developmentally disabled individuals residing in the county;   A description of physical facilities available for use in providing the required community services;   A description of physical facilities, if any, which must be constructed to provide the necessary services;   A proposed staff roster of professional and nonprofessional employees who must be hired to provide necessary services; and   A detailed budget showing all costs of providing the necessary services for fiscal years 1977, 1978, and 1979 and a summary budget for each fiscal year from 1980 through 1985 inclusive.     The department shall provide assistance to county boards of health in preparing the plan required by subsection (a) of this Code section.   The department shall review the plan submitted by each county or district as required by subsection (a) of this Code section and shall suggest such changes as may be necessary to achieve the objectives of this chapter.   On or before July 1, 1975, the department shall publish in print or electronically an approved plan for each county or health district which shall address each point set out in subsection (a) of this Code section.     History.  Ga. L. 1972, p. 700,  6; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-5/HB 228; Ga. L. 2010, p. 838,  10/SB 388.  
  The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities shall provide assistance to county boards of health in developing a full range of community services for the developmentally disabled through consultation and provision of standards. The department shall assist county boards of health in obtaining federal funds where such resources are available and shall finance 100 percent of all operating costs not borne by federal funds.   Should a county board of health fail to take the necessary action to provide approved community services for developmentally disabled individuals, the department shall be empowered to establish and operate such services in lieu of operation by such county board of health.     History.  Ga. L. 1972, p. 700,  7; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-2, 3-5/HB 228.  
 The department shall establish standards for community services, shall regularly inspect programs under operation, and shall issue statements of approval to programs which meet state standards. Where deficiencies are found, county boards of health shall be notified and a reasonable time to correct such deficiencies shall be allowed. Reinspections shall be made as necessary to assure state approval of services.    History.  Ga. L. 1972, p. 700,  8.  
 The department and its contractors are authorized to charge fees for community services they provide under this chapter based upon ability to pay, in accordance with guidelines established by the department. When such services are provided by county boards of health, Code Section 31-3-4 authorizes the establishment of fees for the services. No person shall be denied services on the basis of inability to pay.    History.  Ga. L. 1972, p. 700,  9; Ga. L. 1989, p. 459,  1.  
 As used in this chapter, the term day-care center means any facility that is operated and maintained for and is qualified to furnish care and training to individuals with developmental disabilities on less than a 24 hour basis.    History.  Ga. L. 1963, p. 259,  1; Ga. L. 1966, p. 374,  1; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-18/HB 228.  
 The department is authorized, directed, and empowered to participate in the financing of public, nonprofit day-care centers for developmentally disabled children upon approval of such day-care centers under Code Section 37-6-6.    History.  Ga. L. 1966, p. 374,  2; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-5/HB 228.  
 The department is authorized, directed, and empowered to participate in the financing of day-care centers for developmentally disabled individuals that may be approved by the department in such municipalities and counties of this state. In carrying out the authority and power set forth in this Code section the department is authorized, directed, and empowered to expend funds in assisting such day-care centers for developmentally disabled individuals in the operation of such centers.    History.  Ga. L. 1963, p. 259,  3; Ga. L. 1966, p. 374,  6; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-5/HB 228.  
 The department is authorized and empowered to make grants-in-aid to county boards of health to purchase care and training for developmentally disabled individuals from privately operated, nonprofit day-care centers provided these developmentally disabled individuals have been certified as eligible for financial assistance.    History.  Ga. L. 1966, p. 374,  3; Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  17.6; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-5/HB 228.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which amends this Code section, provides, in  19.1, not codified by the General Assembly, that the amendment is repealed on June 30, 1999; however, Ga. L. 1998, p. 870,  1, struck  19.1 of Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which would have repealed the 1993 amendment to this Code section.  
 The department may require any day-care center that receives state funds under Code Sections 37-6-2 and 37-6-4 to submit to the department at appropriate times certified statements of operating costs.    History.  Ga. L. 1966, p. 374,  4, 8.  
 The department is authorized, directed, and empowered (1) to inspect day-care centers for the developmentally disabled in order to determine compliance with departmental standards for such centers and (2) to approve those day-care centers which meet minimum departmental standards for matching funds under Code Section 37-6-2 or grants-in-aid under Code Section 37-6-4. Inspection shall include both those centers now in operation and those which will begin operation in the future. Reinspections may be made at any time and approval may be withdrawn whenever circumstances indicate that a day-care center no longer meets departmental standards. If approval is withdrawn, it cannot be reinstated until the deficiencies have been corrected and a satisfactory reinspection has been made. After a day-care center has been approved by the department and a certificate of approval has been issued, the center is not subject to examination, approval, or licensing by any other department, agency, or division of the state.    History.  Ga. L. 1966, p. 374,  5, 9; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-5/HB 228.  
  The department is authorized, directed, and empowered:   To classify day-care centers; and   To prescribe and set out the kind and quality of buildings, equipment, facilities, and services which day-care centers shall maintain in order to give proper care and training to developmentally disabled individuals.     The board shall have the power to adopt and promulgate reasonable rules and regulations for the establishment of standards which in its judgment are necessary to protect the health and lives of developmentally disabled individuals.     History.  Ga. L. 1963, p. 259,  8; Ga. L. 1966, p. 374,  10; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-5/HB 228.  
 The department is authorized, directed, and empowered to expend funds appropriated to the department for the purposes of administering this chapter.    History.  Ga. L. 1963, p. 259,  7; Ga. L. 1966, p. 374,  11.  
 As used in this chapter, the term:    Alcoholic means a person who habitually lacks self-control as to the use of alcoholic beverages or who uses alcoholic beverages to the extent that his health is substantially impaired or endangered or his social or economic function is substantially disrupted.   Alcoholic beverages means alcoholic spirits, liquors, wines, beers, and every liquid or fluid, patented or not, containing alcoholic spirits, wine, or beer or any other liquid or fluid containing alcohol in any form and producing intoxication in any form or to any degree.   Alcoholic, drug dependent individual, or drug abuser requiring involuntary treatment means a person who is an inpatient or an outpatient.   (3.1)  Available outpatient treatment means outpatient treatment, either public or private, available in the patients community, including but not limited to supervision and support of the patient by family, friends, or other responsible persons in that community. Outpatient treatment at state expense shall be available only within the limits of state funds specifically appropriated therefor.    Chief medical officer means the physician with overall responsibility for patient treatment at any facility receiving patients under this chapter or a physician appointed in writing as the designee of such chief medical officer.   Clinical record means a written record pertaining to an individual patient and shall include all medical records, progress notes, charts, admission and discharge data, and all other information which is recorded by a facility which pertains to the patients hospitalization and treatment. Such other information as may be required by rules and regulations of the board shall also be included.   Community mental health center means an organized program for the care and treatment of alcoholics, drug dependent individuals, or drug abusers operated by a community service board or other appropriate public provider.   Court means:   In the case of an individual who is 17 years of age or older, the probate court for the county of residence of the patient or the county in which such patient is found. Notwithstanding Code Section 15-9-13, in any case in which the judge of the probate court is unable to hear a case brought under this chapter within the time required for such hearing or is unavailable to issue the order specified in subsection (b) of Code Section 37-7-41, the judge shall appoint a person to serve and exercise all the jurisdiction of the probate court in such case. Any person so appointed shall be a member of the State Bar of Georgia and be otherwise qualified for his duties by training and experience. Such appointment may be made on a case-by-case basis or by making a standing appointment of one or more persons. Any person receiving such a standing appointment shall serve at the pleasure of the judge making the appointment or his successor in office to hear such cases if and when necessary. The compensation of a person so appointed shall be as agreed upon by the judge who makes the appointment and the person appointed and as approved by the governing authority of the county for which such person is appointed and shall be paid from the county funds of the county. All fees collected for the services of such appointed person shall be paid into the general funds of the county served; or   In the case of an individual who is under the age of 17 years, the juvenile court of the county of residence of the patient or the county in which the patient is found.     Drug dependent individual or drug abuser means a person who habitually lacks self-control as to the use of opium, heroin, morphine, or any derivative or synthetic drug of that group, barbiturates, other sedatives, tranquilizers, amphetamines, lysergic acid diethylamide or other hallucinogens, or any drug, dangerous drug, narcotic drug, marijuana, or controlled substance, as defined in Article 2 or Article 3 of Chapter 13 of Title 16 or Chapter 3 of Title 26; or a person who uses such drugs to the extent that his health is substantially impaired or endangered or his social or economic function is substantially disrupted; provided, however, that no person shall be deemed a drug dependent individual or abuser solely by virtue of his taking, according to directions, any such drugs pursuant to a lawful prescription issued by a physician in the course of professional treatment for legitimate medical purposes.   Emergency receiving facility means a facility designated by the department to receive patients under emergency conditions as provided in Part 1 of Article 3 of this chapter.   Evaluating facility means a facility designated by the department to receive patients for evaluation as provided in Part 2 of Article 3 of this chapter.   Facility means any state owned or state operated hospital, community mental health center, or other facility utilized for the diagnosis, care, treatment, or hospitalization of persons who are alcoholics, drug dependent individuals, or drug abusers and any other hospital or facility within the State of Georgia approved for such purpose by the department.   Full and fair hearing or hearing means a proceeding before a hearing examiner under Code Section 37-7-83 or Code Section 37-7-93 or before a court as defined in paragraph (7) of this Code section. The hearing may be held in a regular courtroom or in an informal setting, in the discretion of the hearing examiner or the court, but the hearing shall be recorded electronically or by a qualified court reporter. The patient shall be provided with effective assistance of counsel. If the patient cannot afford counsel, the court shall appoint counsel for him or the hearing examiner shall have the court appoint such counsel; provided, however, that the patient shall have the right to refuse in writing the appointment of counsel, in the discretion of the hearing examiner or the court. The patient shall have the right to confront and cross-examine witnesses and to offer evidence. The patient shall have the right to subpoena witnesses and to require testimony before the hearing examiner or in court in person or by deposition from any physician upon whose evaluation the decision of the hearing examiner or the court may rest. The patient shall have the right to obtain a continuance for any reasonable time for good cause shown. The hearing examiner and the court shall apply the rules of evidence applicable in civil cases. The burden of proof shall be upon the party seeking treatment of the patient. The standard of proof shall be by clear and convincing evidence. At the request of the patient, the public may be excluded from the hearing. The patient may waive his right to be present at the hearing, in the discretion of the hearing examiner or the court. The reason for the action of the court or hearing examiner in excluding the public or permitting the hearing to proceed in the patients absence shall be reflected in the record.   Incapacitated by alcohol or drugs means that a person, as a result of the use of alcoholic beverages, any drug, or any other substances listed in paragraph (8) of this Code section, exhibits life-threatening levels of intoxication, withdrawal, or imminent danger thereof, or acute medical problems; or is under the influence of alcoholic beverages or drugs or any other substances listed in paragraph (8) of this Code section to the extent that the person is incapable of caring for himself or protecting himself due to the continued consumption or use thereof.   Individualized treatment plan means a proposal developed during a patients stay in a facility and which is specifically tailored to the individual patients treatment needs. Each plan shall clearly include the following:   A statement of treatment goals or objectives based upon and related to a proper evaluation, which can be reasonably achieved within a designated time interval;   Treatment methods and procedures to be used to obtain these goals, which methods and procedures are related to these goals and which include a specific prognosis for achieving these goals;   Identification of the types of professional personnel who will carry out the treatment and procedures, including appropriate medical or other professional involvement by a physician or other health professional properly qualified to fulfill legal requirements mandated under state and federal law;   Documentation of patient involvement and, if applicable, the patients accordance with the treatment plan; and   A statement attesting that the chief medical officer has made a reasonable effort to meet the plans individualized treatment goals in the least restrictive environment possible closest to the patients home community.     Who presents a substantial risk of imminent harm to that person or others, as manifested by either recent overt acts or recent expressed threats of violence which present a probability of physical injury to that person or other persons; or   Who is incapacitated by alcoholic beverages, drugs, or any other substances listed in paragraph (8) of this Code section on a recurring basis; and     Who is in need of involuntary inpatient treatment.       (14.1)  Inpatient means a person who is an alcoholic, a drug dependent individual, or a drug abuser and:    (14.2)  Inpatient treatment or hospitalization means a program of treatment for alcoholics, drug dependent individuals, or drug abusers within a hospital facility setting.    (14.3)  Involuntary treatment means inpatient or outpatient treatment which a patient is required to obtain pursuant to this chapter.    Least restrictive alternative, least restrictive alternative placement, least restrictive environment, or least restrictive appropriate care and treatment means that which is the least restrictive available alternative, placement, environment, or care and treatment, respectively, within the limits of state funds specifically appropriated therefor.   (15.1)  Outpatient means a person who is an alcoholic, drug dependent individual, or drug abuser and:    (15.2)  Outpatient treatment means a program of treatment for alcoholics, drug dependent individuals, or drug abusers outside a hospital facility setting which includes, without being limited to, medication and prescription monitoring, individual or group therapy, day or partial programming activities, case management services, and other services to alleviate or treat the patients lack of self-control regarding the use of alcoholic beverages, drugs, or any other substances listed in paragraph (8) of this Code section so as to maintain the patients semi-independent functioning and to prevent the patients becoming an inpatient.    Who is capable of surviving safely in the community with available resources or supervision from family, friends, or others;   Who, based on their mental condition or behavioral history, is in need of treatment in order to prevent further disability or deterioration that would predictably result in dangerousness to self or others; and   Whose current mental status or the nature of their addictive disease limits or negates their ability to make an informed decision to seek voluntarily or to comply with recommended treatment.     Patient means any alcoholic, drug dependent individual, or drug abuser who seeks treatment under this chapter or any person for whom such treatment is sought.   Private facility means any hospital facility that is a proprietary hospital or a hospital operated by a nonprofit corporation or association approved for the purposes of this chapter and a hospital facility operated by a hospital authority created pursuant to Article 4 of Chapter 7 of Title 31.   (17.1)  Psychologist means a licensed psychologist who meets the criteria of training and experience as a health service provider psychologist as provided in Code Section 31-7-162.    (17.2)  Regional state hospital administrator means the chief administrative officer of a state owned or state operated hospital and the state owned or operated community programs in a region. The regional state hospital administrator has overall management responsibility for the regional state hospital and manages services provided by employees of the regional state hospital and employees of state owned or operated community programs within a mental health, developmental disabilities, and addictive diseases region established in accordance with Code Section 37-2-3.    Representatives means the persons appointed as provided in Code Section 37-7-147 to receive notice of the proceedings for voluntary or involuntary treatment.   Superintendent means the chief administrative officer who has overall management responsibility at any facility, other than a regional state hospital or state owned or operated community program, receiving patients under this chapter or an individual appointed as the designee of such superintendent.   Treatment means the broad range of emergency, outpatient, intermediate, and inpatient services and care, including diagnostic evaluation, medical, psychiatric, psychological, and social service care, vocational rehabilitation, and career counseling, which may be extended to alcoholics, intoxicated persons, drug dependent individuals, and drug abusers.   Treatment facility means a facility designated by the department to receive patients for treatment as provided in Part 3 of Article 3 of this chapter.     History.  Code 1933,  88-401, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1979, p. 744,  1-3; Ga. L. 1982, p. 3,  37; Ga. L. 1983, p. 3,  28; Ga. L. 1986, p. 1098,  6; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  27; Ga. L. 1992, p. 6,  37; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1902,  15; Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  17.7; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-15; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-19/HB 228; Ga. L. 2022, p. 26,  3-5/HB 1013.    The 2022 amendment,  effective July 1, 2022, rewrote subparagraphs (15.1)(A) through (15.1)(C), which read: (A) Who is not an inpatient but who, based on the person's treatment history or recurrent lack of self-control regarding the use of alcoholic beverages, drugs, or any other substances listed in paragraph (8) of this Code section, will require outpatient treatment in order to avoid predictably and imminently becoming an inpatient;   (B) Who because of the person's current mental state and recurrent lack of self-control regarding the use of alcoholic beverages, drugs, or any other substances listed in paragraph (8) of this Code section or nature of the person's alcoholic behavior or drug dependency or drug abuse is unable voluntarily to seek or comply with outpatient treatment; and   (C) Who is in need of involuntary treatment.    Code Commission notes.    Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 1987, the second alcoholic was substituted for alcholic in paragraph (13).    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which amends this Code section, provides, in  19.1, not codified by the General Assembly, that the amendment is repealed on June 30, 1999; however, Ga. L. 1998, p. 870,  1, struck  19.1 of Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which would have repealed the 1993 amendment to this Code section.    Law reviews.    For comment on City of Macon v. Southern Bell Tel. & Tel. Co., 89 Ga. App. 252 , 79 S.E.2d 265 (1953), see 17 Ga. B.J. 117 (1954).   For comment on Burger v. State, 118 Ga. App. 328 , 163 S.E.2d 333 (1968), see 5 Ga. St. B.J. 384 (1969).   For comment, 1986 Amendments to Georgias Mental Health Statutes: The Latest Attempt to Provide a Solution to the Problem of the Chronically Mentally Ill, see 36 Emory L.J. 1313 (1987).   For annual survey of law on labor and employment law, see 62 Mercer L. Rev. 181 (2010).  
  The board shall issue regulations to implement this chapter in accordance with the intent of this chapter to safeguard the rights of alcoholics, drug dependent individuals, or drug abusers, as set forth in Code Sections 37-7-100, 37-7-101, and 37-7-120, and Article 6 of this chapter.   (a.1)  The board shall issue regulations to implement the provisions of Code Section 40-5-63.1 relative to clinical evaluations and substance abuse treatment programs and shall prescribe such application fees for providers desiring authorization to provide clinical evaluations or substance abuse treatment programs as are reasonably necessary to cover the cost of considering such applications. Such regulations shall provide for approval of providers and such approval shall be valid continuously unless and until revoked in accordance with such regulations.    In addition to the other powers provided by this chapter, the department shall have the authority:   To enforce the regulations issued by the board;   To prescribe the forms of applications, records, medical certificates, and any other forms required or used under this chapter and the information required to be contained therein;   To require such reports from any facility as it may find necessary to the performance of its duties or functions;   To visit facilities regularly to review the hospitalization procedures applied to all patients;   To determine the care and treatment being given all patients;   To develop criteria for providing priority in access to services and admissions to programs for drug or alcohol dependent pregnant females;   To investigate complaints and make reports and recommendations relative thereto; and   To make effective such procedures and orders as may be appropriate to carry out the provisions of this chapter.  Notwithstanding the powers granted to the department under this Code section, the requirements of this Code section as to determination of treatment and care of patients and the investigation of complaints shall not apply to patients hospitalized in an institution operated by or under the control of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or any other federal agency.        History.  Code 1933,  88-406.1, enacted by Ga. L. 1971, p. 273,  1; Code 1933,  88-407.1, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1990, p. 45,  1; Ga. L. 1991, p. 977,  3; Ga. L. 1997, p. 760,  6.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1997, p. 760,  1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall be known and may be cited as the Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act.     Law reviews.    For article commenting on the 1997 amendment of this Code section, see 14 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 203 (1997).  
 All programs conducted by state agencies with respect to drug and alcohol abuse, except the regulation of the sale or dispensation of drugs and related products by the Board of Pharmacy pursuant to Georgia laws and the investigation of criminal conduct pertaining to illegal drugs transferred to the Department of Public Safety shall be coordinated by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities; provided, however, that any other state agency is not precluded or prohibited from conducting an educational program relating to drug or alcohol abuse.    History.  Ga. L. 1972, p. 1069,  6; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-2/HB 228; Ga. L. 2010, p. 878,  37/HB 1387.  
 No hospitalization of an alcoholic, drug dependent individual, or drug abuser lawful before September 1, 1978, shall be deemed unlawful because of the enactment of this chapter. The board is authorized to establish reasonable regulations to require that the chief medical officer of each treatment facility apply under Code Section 37-7-83 for an order authorizing continued hospitalization of any patient for whom such hospitalization is necessary and who was initially hospitalized under an order of a court prior to September 1, 1978. Such prior orders of hospitalization entered by the courts, unless superseded at an earlier date by an order under this chapter or unless such prior orders expire under their own terms at an earlier date, shall remain valid until March 1, 1979, after which all such orders shall be null and void and of no effect.    History.  Code 1933,  88-407.6, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1.  
 Any physician, psychologist, peace officer, attorney, or health official, or any hospital official, agent, or other person employed by a private hospital or at a facility operated by the state, by a political subdivision of the state, or by a hospital authority created pursuant to Article 4 of Chapter 7 of Title 31, who acts in good faith in compliance with the transport, admission, and discharge provisions of this chapter shall be immune from civil or criminal liability for his actions in connection with the transport of a patient to a physician or facility, the admission of a patient to a facility, or the discharge of a patient from a facility. The immunity from civil liability provided in this Code section in connection with the transport of a patient to a physician or a facility shall apply only to injury or damages incurred by such patient or his or her personal representative.    History.  Code 1933,  88-402.23, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1981, p. 996,  1; Ga. L. 2022, p. 722,  4/SB 403.    The 2022 amendment,  effective July 1, 2022, substituted transport, admission, and discharge for admission and discharge, substituted the transport of a patient to a physician or facility, the admission of a patient to a facility, or the discharge for the admission of a patient to a facility or the discharge, and added the second sentence.    Cross references.    Liability of law enforcement officers for actions taken at scene of emergency,  35-1-7 .   Employment and training of peace officers, T. 35, C. 8.   Physicians generally, T. 43, C. 34.   Psychologists generally, T. 43, C. 39.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 2022, p. 722,  1/SB 403, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall be known and may be cited as the Georgia Behavioral Health and Peace Officer Co-Responder Act.   Ga. L. 2022, p. 722,  2/SB 403, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: The General Assembly finds that:   (1) Demands on peace officers include responding to emergencies involving individuals with a mental or emotional illness, developmental disability, or addictive disease, without the benefit of a behavioral health specialist being present;   (2) The presence of a behavioral health specialist exponentially decreases the risk of escalation;   (3) The absence of a behavioral health specialist may result in the arrest of individuals whose conduct would be more effectively treated and stabilized in a behavioral health setting rather than a jail or prison;   (4) Law enforcement agencies throughout Georgia frequently report that jails and prisons are becoming revolving door behavioral health hospitals of last resort;   (5) Several law enforcement agencies in Georgia have established co-responder programs and formed co-responder partnerships with local community service boards. Community service boards provide support during emergency responses and provide follow-up services to help stabilize the individual in crisis and prevent relapse;   (6) Combining the expertise of peace officers and behavioral health specialists to de-escalate behavioral health crises prevents unnecessary incarceration of individuals with a mental or emotional illness, developmental disability, or addictive disease and instead links those in crisis to services that promote stability and reduce the likelihood of recurrence, decreases the costs incurred by prisons and jails to incarcerate such individuals, and increases the ability of peace officers outside of the co-responder teams to focus on serious crimes; and   (7) It is in the best interest of the state to establish the framework for a state-wide co-responder model to include emergency response co-responder teams and post-emergency behavioral health services.  
 If, during the period of involuntary hospitalization pursuant to any valid physicians certificate, court order, or order by the hearing examiner authorized by this chapter, a patient escapes or otherwise leaves a facility without permission, the facility may advise any peace officer that the patient has escaped or otherwise left the facility without permission; and the peace officer shall be authorized to take such patient into custody and return him to such facility.    History.  Code 1933,  88-407.9, enacted by Ga. L. 1979, p. 744,  11.  
 Any private facility within this state may be approved as an emergency receiving facility, an evaluating facility, or a treatment facility by the department at the request of or with the consent of the governing officers of such private facility. When so approved, the private facility shall have all powers given to the corresponding type of state owned or state operated facility under the provisions of this chapter on voluntary admission, emergency admission, admission for evaluation, and involuntary hospitalization and shall have all duties and obligations of such facilities imposed by this chapter, except that any such private facility may decline to accept any patient who is unable to pay it for hospitalization or for whom it has no available space.    History.  Code 1933,  88-407.5, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1.  
  As used in this Code section, the term drug means any drug as defined in Code Section 26-3-2, any dangerous drug as defined in Code Section 16-13-71, any controlled substance as defined in Code Section 16-13-21, and any narcotic drug as defined in Code Section 16-13-21.   The consent to the provision of medical or surgical care or services by a hospital or public clinic or to the performance of medical or surgical care or services by a physician licensed to practice medicine and surgery, when such consent is given by a minor who is or professes to be suffering from drug abuse, shall be as valid and binding as if the minor had achieved his majority, provided that any such treatment shall involve procedures and therapy related to conditions or illnesses arising out of the drug abuse which gave rise to the consent authorized under this Code section. Any such consent shall not be subject to later disaffirmance by reason of minority. The consent of no other person or persons, including but not limited to a spouse, parent, custodian, or guardian, shall be necessary in order to authorize the provision to such minor of such medical or surgical care or services as are described in this subsection.   Upon the advice and direction of a treating physician or, if more than one, of any one of them, a member of the medical staff of a hospital or public clinic or a physician licensed to practice medicine and surgery may, but shall not be obligated to, inform the spouse, parent, custodian, or guardian of any such minor as to the treatment given or needed. Such information may be given to or withheld from the spouse, parent, custodian, or guardian without the consent of the minor patient and even over the express refusal of the minor patient to the providing of such information.     History.  Ga. L. 1971, p. 337,  1-3.    Cross references.    Giving of consent for surgical or medical treatment generally, T. 31, C. 9.   Right of minor to obtain medical, surgical, or other treatment for venereal disease on minors consent alone,  31-17-7.  
  The chief medical officer of any facility may receive for observation and diagnosis any patient 12 years of age or older making application therefor, any patient under 18 years of age for whom such application is made by his parent or guardian, and any patient who has been declared legally incompetent and for whom such application is made by his guardian. If found to show evidence of alcoholism, drug dependence, or drug abuse and to be suitable for treatment, such person may be given care and treatment at such facility; and such person may be detained by such facility until discharged pursuant to Code Section 37-7-21 or 37-7-22. The parents or guardian of a minor child must give written consent to such inpatient treatment. An individualized treatment plan shall be developed for such person as soon as possible.   Any individual voluntarily admitted to a facility under this Code section shall be given notice of his rights under this chapter at the time of his admission.     History.  Code 1933,  88-404.1, enacted by Ga. L. 1971, p. 273,  1; Code 1933,  88-403.1, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1979, p. 744,  6.    Cross references.    Giving of consent for surgical or medical treatment generally, T. 31, C. 9.  
  The chief medical officer of the facility shall discharge any voluntary patient who has recovered from his alcoholism, drug dependency, or drug abuse or who has sufficiently improved that the chief medical officer determines, after consideration of the recommendations of the treatment team, that hospitalization of the patient is no longer necessary, provided that in no event shall any such patient be so discharged if, in the judgment of the chief medical officer of such facility, such discharge would be unsafe for the patient or others.  The chief medical officer may designate in writing a physician or psychologist, who may be the attending physician or treating psychologist, to make these discharge decisions. If the decision of the designee is contrary to the recommendations of the treatment team or a physician or psychologist member of the treatment team, the issue must go to the chief medical officer for final determination.  Where there is concurrence, the decision of the designee will be final.   Notice of discharge of patients who have been transferred from involuntary to voluntary status shall be given pursuant to Code Section 37-7-24.     History.  Code 1933,  88-404.2, enacted by Ga. L. 1971, p. 273,  1; Code 1933,  88-403.2, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  4; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1902,  16.  
  A voluntary patient, other than a minor child for whom admission has been sought by his parents or guardian, who has admitted himself to a facility pursuant to subsection (a) of Code Section 37-7-20 or any voluntary patients personal representative, legal guardian, parent, spouse, attorney, or adult next of kin may request such patients discharge in writing at any time after his admission. If the patient was admitted on his own application and the request for discharge is made by a person other than the patient, the discharge shall be conditioned upon the agreement of the patient thereto, unless such other person is the legal guardian of the patients person. The request for discharge may be submitted to the chief medical officer or to any staff physician or staff psychologist or staff registered nurse of the facility for transmittal to the chief medical officer. If the patient or another on his behalf makes an oral request for release to any member of the staff or other service provider, the patient must within 24 hours be given assistance in preparing a written request. The person to whom a written request is submitted shall deliver the request to the chief medical officer within 24 hours, Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays excluded. Within 72 hours, excluding Sundays and legal holidays, of the delivery of a written request for release to the chief medical officer, the patient must be discharged from the facility, unless the chief medical officer finds that the discharge would be unsafe for the patient or others, in which case proceedings for involuntary treatment must be initiated under either Code Section 37-7-41, Code Section 37-7-61, or Code Section 37-7-81.   Notice of discharge of patients who have been transferred from involuntary to voluntary status shall be given pursuant to Code Section 37-7-24.     History.  Code 1933,  88-404.3, enacted by Ga. L. 1971, p. 273,  1; Code 1933,  88-403.3, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1983, p. 3,  28; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  28.  
 At the time of his admission and each six months thereafter, any voluntary patient admitted to a facility under Code Section 37-7-20 or transferred to voluntary status under Code Section 37-7-24 shall be notified in writing of his right to discharge upon application under Code Section 37-7-22 and of all other rights granted to patients under this chapter.    History.  Code 1933,  88-404.4, enacted by Ga. L. 1971, p. 273,  1; Code 1933,  88-403.4, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1.  
 Any involuntary patient may apply to be transferred to voluntary status of hospitalization and shall be so transferred if he is able to understand and exercise the rights and powers of a voluntary patient unless the chief medical officer finds that this would not be in the best interest of the patient, which finding shall be entered in the patients clinical record and signed by the chief medical officer. In any case in which such transfer to voluntary status occurs and in any case in which a patient transferred to voluntary status is discharged, notice of such transfer or discharge, as the case may be, shall be given to the patient and his representatives; if the patients hospitalization was ordered by the court, to the court which entered such order; if the patient was admitted to a facility under subsection (a) of Code Section 37-7-41, to the physician or psychologist executing the certificate; and, if the patient was under criminal charges, of which the facility received written notification, by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery to the law enforcement agency originally having custody of the patient. An involuntary patient transferred to voluntary status, which patient is under criminal charges, notice of which charges have been given in writing to the facility, may only be discharged into the physical custody of the law enforcement agency originally having custody of the patient. Such agency shall assume such custody within five days after the mailing of notification to the agency pursuant to this Code section.    History.  Code 1933,  88-403.5, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1979, p. 744,  7; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  29; Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589,  3.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589,  16, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that the amendment to this Code section is applicable with respect to notices delivered on or after July 1, 2000.  
  Any state owned or state operated facility may be designated by the department as an emergency receiving facility. The department shall maintain an emergency receiving facility at each Georgia regional hospital which shall accept, under Code Sections 37-7-41 through 37-7-44, patients found in any county in the service region of the hospital. Any other facility within the State of Georgia may be so designated by the department at the request of or with the consent of the governing officers of the facility.   No later than January 15, 2023, any emergency receiving facility designated under this Code section shall report to the department de-identified, aggregated data with the total number of:   Certificates received at the emergency receiving facility by county issued under subsection (a) of Code Section 37-7-41;   Such certificates received at the emergency receiving facility by each type of licensed professional authorized under Code Section 37-7-41;   Individuals examined in each emergency receiving facility designated or utilized by the department in accordance with subsection (a) of Code Section 37-7-41; and   Individuals admitted to each emergency receiving facility designated or utilized by the department following an examination in accordance with subsection (a) of Code Section 37-7-41.     The frequency of the reporting requirement required by subsection (b) of this Code section shall be determined by the department no later than December 31, 2021.   Failure to submit the information required by subsection (b) of this Code section as directed by the department shall result in the suspension of a facilitys designation as an emergency receiving facility until the required reports are submitted to the department.     History.  Code 1933,  88-404.6, enacted by Ga. L. 1971, p. 273,  1; Code 1933,  88-404.1, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 2021, p. 686,  3/HB 591.    The 2021 amendment,  effective July 1, 2021, designated the existing provisions of this Code section as subsection (a) and added subsections (b) through (d).  
  Any physician within this state may execute a certificate stating that he has personally examined a person within the preceding 48 hours and found that, based upon observations set forth in the certificate, the person appears to be an alcoholic, a drug dependent individual, or a drug abuser requiring involuntary treatment. A physicians certificate shall expire seven days after it is executed. Any peace officer, within 72 hours after receiving such certificate, shall make diligent efforts to take into custody the person named in the certificate and to deliver him forthwith to the nearest available emergency receiving facility serving the county in which the patient is found, where he shall be received for examination.   The appropriate court of the county in which a person may be found may issue an order commanding any peace officer to take such person into custody and deliver him forthwith for examination, either to the nearest available emergency receiving facility serving the county in which the patient is found, where such person shall be received for examination, or to a physician who has agreed to examine such patient and who will provide, where appropriate, a certificate pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section to permit delivery of such patient to an emergency receiving facility pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section. Such order may only be issued if based either upon an unexpired physicians certificate, as provided in subsection (a) of this Code section, or upon the affidavits of at least two persons who attest that, within the preceding 48 hours, they have seen the person to be taken into custody and that, based upon observations contained in their affidavit, they have reason to believe such person is an alcoholic, a drug dependent individual, or a drug abuser requiring involuntary treatment. The court order shall expire seven days after it is executed.   Any peace officer taking into custody and delivering for examination a person, as authorized by subsection (a) or (b) of this Code section, shall execute a written report detailing the circumstances under which such person was taken into custody. The report and either the physicians certificate or court order authorizing such custody shall be made a part of the patients record.   Any psychologist, clinical social worker, licensed professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, or clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric/mental health may perform any act specified by this Code section to be performed by a physician. Any reference in any part of this chapter to a physician acting under this Code section shall be deemed to refer equally to a psychologist, a clinical social worker, a licensed professional counselor, a marriage and family therapist, or a clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric/mental health acting under this Code section. For purposes of this Code section, the term psychologist means any person authorized under the laws of this state to practice as a licensed psychologist; the term clinical social worker means any person authorized under the laws of this state to practice as a licensed clinical social worker; the term licensed professional counselor means any person authorized under the laws of this state to practice as a licensed professional counselor; the term marriage and family therapist means any person authorized under the laws of this state to practice as a licensed marriage and family therapist; and the term clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric/mental health means any person authorized under the laws of this state to practice as a registered professional nurse and who is recognized by the Georgia Board of Nursing to be engaged in advanced nursing practice as a clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric/mental health.   No later than February 15, 2023, and annually thereafter, the department shall prepare a report with de-identified, aggregated data from the written reports required by subsection (b) of Code Section 37-7-40 to the General Assembly, the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives during each regular legislative session. The annual report shall include the following data from the previous calendar year:   The total number of certificates received at the emergency receiving facility by county from which the certificate was issued;   The total number of certificates received at the emergency receiving facility by each type of licensed professional authorized by this Code section;   The total number of individuals examined in each emergency receiving facility designated or utilized by the department in accordance with subsection (a) of this Code section; and   The total number of individuals admitted to each emergency receiving facility designated or utilized by the department following an examination in accordance with subsection (a) of this Code section.       History.  Code 1933,  88-404.7, enacted by Ga. L. 1971, p. 273,  1; Code 1933,  88-404.2, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1981, p. 996,  2; Ga. L. 1987, p. 3,  37; Ga. L. 1992, p. 2531,  2; Ga. L. 1994, p. 1249,  2; Ga. L. 2014, p. 347,  2/SB 65; Ga. L. 2015, p. 4,  1/SB 53; Ga. L. 2016, p. 864,  37/HB 737; Ga. L. 2017, p. 617,  1/SB 52; Ga. L. 2021, p. 686,  4/HB 591.    The 2021 amendment,  effective July 1, 2021, in subsection (d), inserted marriage and family therapist, near the middle of the first sentence, inserted a marriage and family therapist, in the middle of the second sentence, inserted the term marriage and family therapist means any person authorized under the laws of this state to practice as a licensed marriage and family therapist; in the middle of the third sentence; and added subsection (e).    Cross references.    Arrest of persons, T. 17, C. 4.   Licensing of applied psychologists, T. 43, C. 39.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 2014, p. 347,  2A/SB 65, as amended by Ga. L. 2015, p. 4,  1/SB 53, which provides for the repeal of the amendment made by  1 of that Act was repealed by Ga. L. 2017, p. 617,  1/SB 52, effective May 9, 2017.    Law reviews.    For note, The Diversion of Drug Abusers from the Criminal Justice System: Georgias Proposed Legislation, see 23 Emory L.J. 1071 (1974).   For survey article on torts, see 34 Mercer L. Rev. 271 (1982).   For comment, 1986 Amendments to Georgias Mental Health Statutes: The Latest Attempt to Provide a Solution to the Problem of the Chronically Mentally Ill, see 36 Emory L.J. 1313 (1987).   For survey article on construction law, see 59 Mercer L. Rev. 55 (2007).  
    A peace officer may take any person to a physician within the county or an adjoining county for emergency examination by the physician, as provided in Code Section 37-7-41, or directly to an emergency receiving facility if the person is committing a penal offense and the peace officer has probable cause for believing that the person is an alcoholic, a drug dependent individual, or a drug abuser requiring involuntary treatment. The peace officer need not formally tender charges against the individual prior to taking the individual to a physician or an emergency receiving facility under this Code section. The peace officer shall execute a written report detailing the circumstances under which the person was taken into custody; and this report shall be made a part of the patients clinical record.   A peace officer may take any person to an emergency receiving facility if: (i) the peace officer has probable cause to believe that the person is an alcoholic, a drug dependent individual, or a drug abuser requiring involuntary treatment; and (ii) the peace officer has consulted either in-person or via telephone or telehealth with a physician, as provided in Code Section 37-7-41, and the physician authorizes the peace officer to transport the individual for an evaluation. To authorize transport for evaluation, the physician shall determine, based on facts available regarding the persons condition, including the report of the peace officer and the physicians communications with the person or witnesses, that there is probable cause to believe that the person needs an examination to determine if the person requires involuntary treatment. The peace officer shall execute a written report detailing the circumstances under which the person is detained; and this report shall be made a part of the patients clinical record.     Any psychologist may perform any act specified by this Code section to be performed by a physician. Any reference in any part of this chapter to a physician acting under this Code section shall be deemed to refer equally to a psychologist acting under this Code section. For purposes of this subsection, the term psychologist means any person authorized under the laws of this state to practice as a licensed psychologist.     History.  Code 1933,  88-404.3, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1981, p. 996,  2; Ga. L. 1987, p. 3,  37; Ga. L. 2022, p. 26,  3-6/HB 1013.    The 2022 amendment,  effective July 1, 2022, designated the existing provisions of subsection (a) as paragraph (a)(1), and added paragraph (a)(2).    Code Commission notes.    Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 1987, physician was substituted for physican following examination by the in the first sentence of subsection (a).   Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 2022, is was inserted in the last sentence of paragraph (a)(2).    Cross references.    Arrest of persons, T. 17, C. 4.   Licensing of applied psychologists, T. 43, C. 39.  
  A patient who is admitted to an emergency receiving facility shall be examined by a physician as soon thereafter as possible but in any event within 48 hours and may be given such emergency treatment as is indicated by good medical practice. The patient must be discharged within 48 hours of his admission unless:   An examining physician or psychologist concludes that there is reason to believe that the patient may be an alcoholic, a drug dependent individual, or a drug abuser requiring involuntary treatment and executes a certificate to that effect within such time; or   The patient is under criminal charges, notice of which has been given in writing to the facility, in which case the provisions of Code Section 37-7-95 shall apply.  Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit a physician or psychologist who previously executed a certificate authorized by the provisions of this chapter from executing any other certificate provided for in this chapter for the same or any other patient.      Within 24 hours of the execution of the certificate under paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of this Code section, the patient shall be transported, as provided in Code Section 37-7-101, to an evaluating facility where he shall be received pursuant to Code Section 37-7-63 unless the patient has been determined and certified to meet all of the outpatient treatment requirements of paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (c) of Code Section 37-7-90, in which event the patient shall be discharged under the conditions provided in Code Section 37-7-91, except that if the patient is under criminal charges, notice of which has been given in writing to the facility, the provisions of Code Section 37-7-95 shall apply.   Notice of any proposed discharge shall be given to the patient and his representatives; if the patient was admitted to the facility under subsection (a) of Code Section 37-7-41, to the physician or psychologist who executed the certificate; if the patient was admitted to the facility under subsection (b) of Code Section 37-7-41, to the court which issued the order; and if the patient was under criminal charges, written notice of which had been given to the facility, by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery to the law enforcement agency originally having custody of the patient.     History.  Code 1933,  88-404.8, 88-404.9, enacted by Ga. L. 1971, p. 273,  1; Ga. L. 1977, p. 1293,  5; Code 1933,  88-404.4, 88-404.5, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1982, p. 937,  2, 10; Ga. L. 1985, p. 1024,  4; Ga. L. 1986, p. 1098,  7; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  30; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1902,  17; Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589,  3.    Cross references.    Arrest of persons, T. 17, C. 4.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589,  16, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that the amendment to this Code section is applicable with respect to notices delivered on or after July 1, 2000.    Law reviews.    For survey article on torts, see 34 Mercer L. Rev. 271 (1982).   For comment, 1986 Amendments to Georgias Mental Health Statutes: The Latest Attempt to Provide a Solution to the Problem of the Chronically Mentally Ill, see 36 Emory L.J. 1313 (1987).  
  Immediately upon arrival of a patient at an emergency receiving facility under Code Section 37-7-43, the facility shall give the patient written notice of his right to petition for a writ of habeas corpus or for a protective order under Code Section 37-7-148. This written notice shall also inform the patient that he has a right to legal counsel and that, if the patient is unable to afford counsel, the court will appoint counsel.   The notice informing the patients representatives of the patients hospitalization in an emergency receiving facility shall include a clear notification that the representatives may petition for a writ of habeas corpus or for a protective order under Code Section 37-7-148.     History.  Code 1933,  88-404.10, enacted by Ga. L. 1971, p. 273,  1; Code 1933,  88-404.6, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1986, p. 1098,  7.    Cross references.    Arrest of persons, T. 17, C. 4.  
 Any state owned or state operated facility may be designated by the department as an evaluating facility. The department shall maintain an evaluating facility at each Georgia regional hospital which shall accept, under Code Sections 37-7-61 through 37-7-65, patients found in any county in the service region of the hospital designated by the department. Any other facility within the State of Georgia may be so designated by the department at the request of or with the consent of the governing officers of the facility.    History.  Code 1933,  88-404.11, enacted by Ga. L. 1971, p. 273,  1; Code 1933,  88-405.1, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1.  
 Proceedings for a court ordered evaluation may be initiated in the following manner:    Any person may file an application executed under oath with the community mental health center for a court ordered evaluation of a person located within that county who is alleged by such application to be an alcoholic, a drug dependent individual, or a drug abuser requiring involuntary treatment.  Upon the filing of such application, the community mental health center shall make a preliminary investigation and, if the investigation shows that there is probable cause to believe that such allegation is true, it shall file a petition with the court in the county where the patient is located seeking an involuntary admission for evaluation; and   Any person may file with the court a petition executed under oath alleging that a person within the county is an alcoholic, a drug dependent individual, or a drug abuser requiring involuntary treatment. The petition must be accompanied by the certificate of a physician or psychologist stating that he has examined the patient within the preceding five days and has found that the patient may be an alcoholic, a drug dependent individual, or a drug abuser requiring involuntary treatment and that a full evaluation of the patient is necessary.     History.  Code 1933,  88-404.12, enacted by Ga. L. 1971, p. 273,  1; Code 1933,  88-405.2, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  31; Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  17.8.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which amends this Code section, provides, in  19.1, not codified by the General Assembly, that the amendment is repealed on June 30, 1999; however, Ga. L. 1998, p. 870,  1, struck  19.1 of Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which would have repealed the 1993 amendment to this Code section.  
  The court shall review the petition filed under Code Section 37-7-61 and if the court finds reasonable cause to believe that the patient may be an alcoholic, a drug dependent individual, or a drug abuser requiring involuntary treatment, the court shall hold a full and fair hearing on the petition no sooner than ten days and no later than 15 days after such petition is filed. Within five days after the filing of such petition, the court shall serve notice of the hearing upon the patient and his representatives and upon the petitioner. Representatives for the patient shall be appointed pursuant to Code Section 37-7-147, provided that the court shall designate the second representative or, in the absence of designation of one representative by the patient, both representatives; and, in the absence of such representatives or if the department is the guardian, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem who is not the department. The notice required by this Code section shall include the time and place of the hearing; notice of the patients right to counsel, that the patient or his representatives may apply for court appointed counsel if the patient cannot afford counsel, and that the court will appoint counsel unless the patient indicates in writing that he does not wish to be represented by counsel; and notice that the patient may waive his rights to a hearing under this Code section. A copy of the petition filed under Code Section 37-7-61 shall be attached to the notice. The patient shall have a right to counsel. If the patient is unable to afford counsel, the court shall appoint counsel for the patient unless the patient indicates in writing that he does not desire to be represented by counsel. The hearing may be waived by the patient after appointment or waiver of counsel.   After a full and fair hearing or, if the hearing is waived, after a full review of the evidence, if the court is satisfied that immediate evaluation is necessary, the court shall issue an order to any peace officer to deliver the patient forthwith to the evaluating facility designated by the department to admit persons ordered by that court to be evaluated.     History.  Code 1933,  88-404.13, enacted by Ga. L. 1971, p. 273,  1; Code 1933,  88-405.3, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1.    Cross references.    Guardians of incapacitated adults, T. 29, C. 5.  
 Any person who is brought to an evaluating facility under Code Section 37-7-43 or under a court order as provided in Code Section 37-7-62 shall be received for evaluation and such treatment as is indicated by good medical practice.    History.  Code 1933,  88-404.14, enacted by Ga. L. 1971, p. 273,  1; Code 1933,  88-405.4, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1982, p. 3,  37.  
  A patient who has been admitted to an evaluating facility pursuant to Code Section 37-7-43, 37-7-63, or subparagraph (a)(3)(B) of Code Section 37-7-81.1 may be detained for a period not to exceed five days, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays excluded. The patient shall be discharged upon a finding that the patient is not an alcoholic, a drug dependent person, or a drug abuser requiring involuntary treatment or upon a finding and certification that the patient meets all of the outpatient treatment requirements of paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (c) of Code Section 37-7-90, in which event a patient meeting those outpatient treatment requirements shall be discharged under the conditions provided in Code Section 37-7-91 but, in any event, upon the expiration of the five-day evaluation period unless:   Within that period:   The patient is admitted as a voluntary patient under Code Section 37-7-20; or   The patient is admitted for involuntary inpatient treatment under Code Section 37-7-81; or     The patient is under criminal charges, notice of which has been given in writing to the facility, in which case the provisions of Code Section 37-7-95 shall apply.     If hospitalization appears desirable, the staff physicians or psychologists of the evaluating facility shall encourage the patient to apply for voluntary hospitalization unless the attending physician or treating psychologist finds that the patient is unable to understand the nature of voluntary hospitalization, that voluntary hospitalization would be harmful to the patient, or that the patient is determined to be an alcoholic, a drug dependent individual, or a drug abuser in need of involuntary treatment, which finding shall be entered in the patients record.   If, after evaluation of the patient, it is determined by the chief medical officer that proceedings for involuntary treatment of the patient should be initiated pursuant to Code Section 37-7-81 or pursuant to Part 4 of this article, the chief medical officer shall direct that an individualized treatment plan be developed for that patient during the five-day period that he is detained for evaluation in the facility.   Notice of the discharge shall be given to the patient and his representatives; to the person who filed the petition; if the patient was admitted to the evaluating facility from an emergency receiving facility under Code Section 37-7-43, to the physician or psychologist who executed the certificate or to the court which issued the order pursuant to Code Section 37-7-41; if the patient was under criminal charges of which the facility received written notification, by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery to the law enforcement agency originally having custody of the patient; and, if the patient was admitted to the evaluating facility under Code Section 37-7-62, to the court that ordered the evaluation.     History.  Code 1933,  88-404.15, 88-404.16, enacted by Ga. L. 1971, p. 273,  1; Ga. L. 1977, p. 1293,  6; Code 1933,  88-405.5, 88-405.6, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1986, p. 1098,  8; Ga. L. 1987, p. 3,  37; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  32; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1902,  18; Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589,  3.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589,  16, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that the amendment to this Code section is applicable with respect to notices delivered on or after July 1, 2000.  
 Any patient admitted to an evaluating facility may apply to the chief medical officer of that facility for transfer at his own expense to any other approved evaluating facility. If the evaluating facility to which transfer is requested agrees to admit the patient and if the patient is able to pay for evaluation at such facility, he shall be transferred forthwith. In such case, Code Section 37-7-64 shall apply; and the time periods specified shall be counted from the date of admission to the evaluating facility to which the patient is transferred. Notice of the transfer shall be given to the patients representatives; to the person who filed the original petition, if any; if the patient was admitted to the evaluating facility from an emergency receiving facility under Code Section 37-7-43, to the physician or psychologist who executed the certificate or to the court which issued the order pursuant to Code Section 37-7-41; if the patient was under criminal charges of which the facility received written notification, by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery to the law enforcement agency originally having custody of the patient; and, if the patient was admitted to the evaluating facility under Code Section 37-7-62, to the court that ordered the evaluation.    History.  Code 1933,  88-404.17, enacted by Ga. L. 1971, p. 273,  1; Code 1933,  88-405.7, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1902,  19; Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589,  3.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589,  16, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that the amendment to this Code section is applicable with respect to notices delivered on or after July 1, 2000.  
 Any state owned or state operated facility may be designated by the department as a treatment facility. The department shall maintain a treatment facility at each regional hospital which shall accept patients found in any county in the service region of the hospital. Any other facility within the State of Georgia may be so designated by the department at the request of or with the consent of the governing officers of the facility.    History.  Code 1933,  88-404.19, enacted by Ga. L. 1971, p. 273,  1; Code 1933,  88-406.1, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1986, p. 1098,  9.  
  At those hearings required under subsection (c) of Code Section 37-7-81 and subsection (a) of Code Section 37-7-92, the court shall determine whether the patient is an alcoholic, a drug dependent individual, or a drug abuser requiring involuntary treatment and, if so, whether the patient is an inpatient or outpatient and, unless otherwise provided in this subsection, the type of involuntary treatment the patient should be ordered to obtain. At such hearing, if the court determines:   That the patient is not an alcoholic, a drug dependent individual, or a drug abuser requiring involuntary treatment, the court shall order that the patient be immediately discharged;   That the patient is an outpatient, the court shall further determine, based upon either the individualized treatment plan required to be prepared under subsection (c) of Code Section 37-7-64 or subsection (b) of Code Section 37-7-91 or the individualized treatment plan proposed by the physician or psychologist chosen by the patient, whether there is available outpatient treatment for the patient which meets the requirements of the plan chosen by the court and whether the patient will likely obtain that treatment so as to minimize the likelihood of the patients becoming an inpatient. If the court determines that there is such available outpatient treatment which the patient will likely obtain so as to minimize the likelihood of the patients becoming an inpatient, then the court shall order the patient to obtain that treatment and shall discharge the patient subject to such order;   That the patient is an outpatient who does not meet the requirements for discharge under paragraph (2) of this subsection and:   The patient has been admitted to either an evaluating or treatment facility and there received an evaluation within 45 days prior to the date of the hearing under this Code section, the court shall order that the patient be discharged; or   The patient has not been admitted to either an evaluating or treatment facility and there received an evaluation within 45 days prior to the date of the hearing under this Code section, the court shall order that the patient be admitted to an evaluating facility, and this chapter shall thereafter apply to that patient as though that patient had been ordered by a court to be admitted to that facility pursuant to Code Section 37-7-62; or     That the patient is an inpatient, the court shall order that the patient shall be transported to a treatment facility where the patient shall be admitted for care and treatment, which order may also require that a period of such inpatient treatment be followed by available outpatient treatment if there is such outpatient treatment which will meet the requirements of the patients individualized service plan and the patient will likely obtain the treatment so as to minimize the likelihood of the patients becoming an inpatient.     If the court at a hearing under subsection (a) of this Code section concludes that the patient is an alcoholic, a drug dependent individual, or a drug abuser requiring involuntary treatment, it shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law in support of that conclusion as part of its final order.   The court may order the hospitalization of any patient pursuant to paragraph (4) of subsection (a) of this Code section for any period not to exceed six months, subject to the power of the chief medical officer to discharge the patient under subsection (b) of Code Section 37-7-85. If continued hospitalization is necessary at the end of that period, the chief medical officer shall apply for an order authorizing such continued hospitalization under Code Section 37-7-83.   The court may order the patient to obtain available outpatient treatment under the additional conditions specified in Code Sections 37-7-93 and 37-7-94.    History. Code 1981,  37-7-81.1 , enacted by Ga. L. 1986, p. 1098,  9; Ga. L. 1987, p. 3,  37; Ga. L. 1987, p. 797,  5; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  34.    Code Commission notes.    Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-3 , in 1987, the amendment of subparagraph (a)(3)(A) of this Code section by Ga. L. 1987, p. 3,  27, was treated as impliedly repealed and superseded by Ga. L. 1987, p. 797,  5, due to irreconcilable conflict. See County of Butts v. Strahan, 151 Ga. 417 (1921); Keener v. McDougall, 232 Ga. 273 (1974).   Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 1992, a semicolon was substituted for a period at the end of paragraph (a)(2).  
  The patient may be detained at a facility beyond the evaluation period unless voluntary hospitalization is sought under subparagraph (a)(1)(A) of Code Section 37-7-64 only upon the recommendation of the chief medical officer of an evaluating facility where the patient has been examined under Part 2 of this article, which recommendation is supported by the opinions of two physicians or a physician and a psychologist who have personally examined the patient within the preceding five days and who agree that the patient is an alcoholic, a drug dependent individual, or a drug abuser requiring involuntary treatment but who does not meet the outpatient treatment requirements of paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (c) of Code Section 37-7-90. Such recommendation of the chief medical officer and the opinions of the physicians or physician and psychologist shall be entered on a certificate. The certificate shall be filed along with a petition for a hearing in the court of the county in which the patient is being detained for evaluation. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit a physician or psychologist or a chief medical officer who has previously executed any other certificate authorized by the provisions of this chapter from executing a certificate provided for in this Code section for the same or any other patient. The certificate and petition shall be filed within five days, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays excluded, after the patient is admitted to a facility for evaluation under Code Section 37-7-63. Such filing shall authorize the detention of the patient by the facility pending completion of a full and fair hearing under this Code section. Copies of the certificate shall be served on the patient and his representatives within five days after the certificate is filed and shall be accompanied by:   A notice that a hearing will be held and the time and place thereof;   A notice that the patient has a right to counsel, that the patient or his representatives may apply immediately to the court to have counsel appointed if the patient cannot afford counsel, and that in such case the court will appoint counsel for the patient unless the patient indicates in writing that he does not desire to be represented by counsel;   A copy of the individualized treatment plan developed by the facility under this chapter shall be sent to the patient and shall be sent to the patients representative if requested by such representative. Notice of the right to receive such plan shall be given to the representatives at the time the treatment plan is sent to the patient;   A notice that the patient has a right to be examined by a physician or psychologist of his own choice at his own expense and to have that physician or psychologist submit a suggested treatment plan for the patient which conforms with the requirements of paragraph (14) of Code Section 37-7-1; and   A notice that the patient may waive in writing the hearing described in subsection (c) of this Code section.     If the hearing is waived, the certificate shall serve as authorization for the patient to begin treatment under the terms of the individualized treatment plan; and the chief medical officer of the facility where the patient is located shall be responsible for the supervision of the treatment plan.   In any case in which a patient is retained in an evaluating facility pursuant to a petition filed under subsection (a) of this Code section, the court shall hold a full and fair hearing as provided in Code Section 37-7-81.1 unless the hearing is waived in writing by the patient. The hearing shall be held no sooner than seven days and no later than 12 days after the petition is filed with the court.     History.  Code 1933,  88-404.20, 88-404.21, enacted by Ga. L. 1971, p. 273,  1; Code 1933,  88-406.2, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1979, p. 744,  8; Ga. L. 1982, p. 937,  3, 11; Ga. L. 1983, p. 3,  28; Ga. L. 1985, p. 1024,  5; Ga. L. 1986, p. 1098,  9; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  33; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1902,  20.    Cross references.    Criminal penalty for malicious confinement of sane person in asylum,  16-5-43 .    Code Commission notes.    Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 1986, this article was substituted for Article 3 of this chapter in the first sentence of subsection (a).  
  If at any time during a period of involuntary outpatient treatment, including but not limited to interim outpatient treatment arranged pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 37-7-91, the physician or psychologist in charge of the patients outpatient treatment plan determines that, because of a change in the patients condition, the least restrictive alternative which would accomplish the treatment goals is hospitalization of the patient, then that physician or psychologist may execute a certificate under the conditions specified in subsection (a) of Code Section 37-7-41. That certificate shall have the same duration and effect as a certificate issued pursuant to subsection (a) of Code Section 37-7-41.   If at any time during a period of involuntary outpatient treatment, including but not limited to interim outpatient treatment arranged pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 37-7-91, the patient fails without good cause or refuses to comply with the outpatient treatment plan, the physician or psychologist in charge of the outpatient treatment plan or that physicians or psychologists designee may petition the court originally approving the involuntary treatment of the patient or the court of the county in which the patient is a resident or where the patient may be found for an order authorizing a peace officer to take the patient and immediately deliver the patient to the community mental health center in charge of the patients outpatient treatment plan, if a physician or psychologist is available there to examine the patient, or to the nearest emergency receiving facility serving the county in which the patient is found. If in the discretion of the court such an order is issued, the patient shall be delivered to the facility and may be given such emergency or other medical treatment as is indicated by good medical practice. The patient must be released from the custody of the community mental health center within four hours and from the custody of the emergency receiving facility within 48 hours after being taken into the custody of that center or facility unless the examining physician or psychologist concludes that, because of a change in the patients condition, the least restrictive alternative which would accomplish the treatment goals is hospitalization of the patient. The physician or a psychologist may then execute a certificate under the conditions specified therefor in subsection (a) of Code Section 37-7-41, if the examination is done in a community mental health center, or under the conditions specified therefor in Code Section 37-7-43, if the examination is done in an emergency receiving facility.  That certificate shall have the same duration and effect as a certificate issued pursuant to subsection (a) of Code Section 37-7-41 or Code Section 37-7-43, as applicable.   With regard to a patient required to obtain involuntary outpatient treatment, the court may issue any order authorized under subsection (b) of Code Section 37-7-41, but if the court knows that patient is required to obtain involuntary outpatient treatment, that court may issue such order only upon the courts determination, in addition to any other conditions for the issuance of that order, that such patient has not complied with the involuntary outpatient treatment or that the patient reasonably appears to be an inpatient.   Any patient detained in a facility pursuant to this Code section shall not be required during that period of detention to obtain outpatient treatment required by any order which is then in effect and which was issued pursuant to this chapter. That order shall otherwise remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the patients detention in or release from the facility unless that facility obtains a court order authorized by Code Section 37-7-81.1 which expressly supersedes the prior order.     History.  Code 1933,  88-406.3, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1981, p. 785,  1; Ga. L. 1985, p. 1024,  6; Ga. L. 1986, p. 1098,  9; Ga. L. 1987, p. 797,  6; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  35; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1902,  21.    Code Commission notes.    Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 1988, complied was substituted for compiled in subsection (c).    Law reviews.    For comment, 1986 Amendments to Georgias Mental Health Statutes: The Latest Attempt to Provide a Solution to the Problem of the Chronically Mentally Ill, see 36 Emory L.J. 1313 (1987).  
  If it is necessary to continue involuntary treatment of a hospitalized patient beyond the end of the period during which the treatment facility is currently authorized under this chapter to retain the patient, the chief medical officer prior to the expiration of the period, shall seek an order authorizing such continued treatment in the manner provided in this Code section. The chief medical officer may seek such an order authorizing continued involuntary treatment involving inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, or both under the procedures of this Code section and Code Section 37-7-93.   If the chief medical officer finds that continued involuntary treatment is necessary (1) for an individual who was admitted while serving a criminal sentence but whose sentence is about to expire or (2) for an individual who was hospitalized while under the jurisdiction of a juvenile court but who is about to reach the age of 17, the chief medical officer shall seek an order authorizing such continued treatment in the manner provided in this Code section; and this chapter shall apply fully to such a patient after that time.   A Committee for Continued Involuntary Treatment Review shall be established by the chief medical officer of each hospital and shall consist of not less than five persons of professional status, at least one of whom shall be a physician and at least two others of whom shall be either physicians or psychologists.  The committee may conduct its meetings with a quorum of any three members at least one of whom shall be a physician. The function of this committee shall be to review and evaluate the updated individualized treatment plan of each patient of the hospital and to report to the chief medical officer its recommendations concerning the patients need for continued involuntary treatment. No person who has responsibility for the care and treatment of the individual patient for whom continued involuntary treatment is requested shall serve on any committee which reviews such individuals case.   If the chief medical officer desires to seek an order under this Code section authorizing continued involuntary treatment for up to 12 months beyond the expiration of the currently authorized period of hospitalization, he shall first file a notice of such intended action with the Committee for Continued Involuntary Treatment Review, which notice shall be forwarded to the committee at least 60 days prior to the expiration of that period.   Within ten days of the date of the notice, the committee shall meet to consider the matter of the chief medical officers intention to seek an order for continued involuntary treatment. Prior to the committees meeting, the patient and his representatives shall be notified of the following: the purpose of such meeting, the time and place of such meeting, their right to be present at such meeting, and their right to present any alternative individualized treatment plan secured at their expense. In those cases in which the patient will not or cannot appear, at least one member of the committee will make all reasonable efforts to interview the patient and report to the committee. The physician or psychologist proposing the treatment plan shall present an updated individualized treatment plan for the patient to the committee. The committee shall report to the chief medical officer or his designee, other than the physician or psychologist proposing the treatment plan or a member of the committee, its written recommendations along with any minority recommendations which may also be submitted. Such report will specify whether or not the patient is an alcoholic, a drug dependent individual, or a drug abuser requiring involuntary treatment and whether continued hospitalization is the least restrictive alternative available.   If, after considering the committees recommendations and minority recommendations, if any, the chief medical officer or his designee, other than the attending physician or a member of the committee, determines that the patient is not an alcoholic, a drug dependent individual, or a drug abuser requiring involuntary treatment, the patient shall be immediately discharged from involuntary hospitalization pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 37-7-85. Such person may apply for voluntary admission pursuant to Code Section 37-7-24.   If after considering the committees recommendations and minority recommendations, if any, the chief medical officer or his designee, other than the attending physician or member of the committee, determines that the patient is an alcoholic, a drug dependent individual, or a drug abuser requiring involuntary treatment, he shall, within ten days after receiving the committees recommendations, serve a petition for an order authorizing continued involuntary treatment along with copies of the updated individualized treatment plan and the committees report on the designated office within the department and shall also serve such petition along with a copy of the updated individualized treatment plan on the patient. A copy of the petition shall be served on the patients representatives. The petition shall contain a plain and simple statement that the patient or his representatives may file a request for a hearing with a hearing examiner appointed pursuant to Code Section 37-7-84 within 15 days after service of the petition, that the patient has a right to counsel, that the patient or his representatives may apply immediately to the court to have counsel appointed if the patient cannot afford counsel, and that the court will appoint counsel for the patient unless the patient indicates in writing that he does not desire to be represented by counsel or has made his own arrangements for counsel.   If a hearing is not requested by the patient or the representatives within 15 days of service of the petition on the patient and his representatives, the hearing examiner shall make an independent review of the committees report, the updated individualized treatment plan, and the petition. If he concludes that continued involuntary treatment may not be necessary or if he finds any member of the committee so concluded, then he shall order that a hearing be held pursuant to subsection (i) of this Code section. If he concludes that continued involuntary treatment is necessary, then he shall order continued involuntary treatment involving inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, or both for a period not to exceed one year.   If a hearing is requested within 15 days of service of the petition on the patient and his representatives or if the hearing examiner orders a hearing pursuant to subsection (h) or (j) of this Code section, the hearing examiner shall set a time and place for the hearing to be held within 25 days of the time the hearing examiner receives the request but in any event no later than the day on which the current order of involuntary inpatient treatment expires. Notice of the hearing shall be served on the patient, his representatives, the facility, and, when appropriate, on counsel for the patient. The hearing examiner, within his discretion, may grant a change of venue for the convenience of parties or witnesses. Such hearing shall be a full and fair hearing, except that the patients attorney, when the patient is unable to attend the hearing and is incapable of consenting to a waiver of his appearance, may move that the patient not be required to appear; however, the record shall reflect the reasons for the hearing examiners actions. After such hearing, the hearing examiner may issue any order which the court is authorized to issue under Code Section 37-7-81.1 and subject to the limitations of that Code Section 37-7-81.1, provided that a patient who is an outpatient who does not meet the requirements for discharge under paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of Code Section 37-7-81.1 shall nevertheless be discharged and provided that the hearing examiner may order the patients continued inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, or both for a period not to exceed one year, subject to the power to discharge the patient under subsection (b) of Code Section 37-7-85 or under Code Section 37-7-94. In the event that an order approving continued hospitalization is entered for an individual who was admitted while serving a criminal sentence under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections, but whose sentence is about to expire, the chief medical officer shall serve a copy of that order upon the Department of Corrections within five working days of the issuance of the order.   The hearing examiner for a patient who was admitted under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court and who reaches the age of 17 without having had a full and fair hearing pursuant to any provisions of this chapter or without having waived such hearing shall order that a hearing be held pursuant to subsection (i) of this Code section.     History.  Code 1933,  88-404.23, enacted by Ga. L. 1971, p. 273,  1; Code 1933,  88-406.5, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1979, p. 744,  10; Ga. L. 1986, p. 1098,  9; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  36.    Cross references.    Criminal penalty for malicious confinement of sane person in asylum,  16-5-43 .  
  One or more hearing examiners shall be appointed by the Justices of the Supreme Court to hold the hearings under Code Section 37-7-83. Such hearing examiners shall be members of the State Bar of Georgia and shall be compensated by the department.   The hearing examiners shall have the authority to:   Administer oaths and affirmations;   Sign and issue subpoenas;   Rule upon offers of proof;   Regulate the course of the hearing;   Provide for the taking of testimony by deposition;   Reprimand or exclude from the hearing any person for any indecorous or improper conduct committed in the presence of the hearing examiner; and   Make all appropriate orders authorized by this chapter.     If a subpoena issued by the hearing examiner is disobeyed, the hearing examiner may apply to the superior court of the county in which the hearing is held for an order requiring obedience. Failure to comply with such order shall be cause for punishment as for contempt of court.   In the event a patient desires counsel in a hearing before the hearing examiner but cannot afford such counsel, the hearing examiner shall apply to the court of the county in which the hearing is held and that court shall appoint counsel for the patient. Payment for such representation shall be made by the county of the patients legal residence.     History.  Code 1933,  88-404.22, enacted by Ga. L. 1971, p. 273,  1; Code 1933,  88-406.4, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1979, p. 744,  9; Ga. L. 1986, p. 1098,  9.  
  Each individualized treatment plan for a patient receiving involuntary inpatient treatment shall be reviewed at regular intervals to determine the patients progress toward the stated goals and objectives of the plan and to determine whether the plan should be modified because of the patients present condition. These reviews should be based upon relevant progress notes in the patients clinical record and upon other related information; and input from the patient should be obtained and utilized where feasible.   Any time a patient receiving involuntary inpatient treatment is found by the chief medical officer, after consideration of the recommendations of the treatment team, no longer to be an alcoholic, a drug dependent individual, or a drug abuser requiring involuntary inpatient treatment, the chief medical officer may:   Discharge the patient from involuntary outpatient or inpatient treatment, or both, subject to the conditions of Code Section 37-7-95;   Discharge the patient from involuntary inpatient treatment and require that the patient obtain available outpatient treatment for the remaining period the patient was to have been required to obtain inpatient treatment, as long as the patient then meets the standards for being discharged to outpatient treatment under paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of Code Section 37-7-81.1 and subject to the conditions of Code Section 37-7-95; or   Transfer the patient to voluntary status at the patients request, as provided in Code Section 37-7-24.     The chief medical officer may designate in writing another physician, who may be the attending physician, to make these discharge decisions.  If the decision of the designee is contrary to the recommendations of the treatment team, the issue must go to the chief medical officer for final determination.  Where the treatment team and the designee concur, the decision of the designee will be final.   Notice of the discharge or the transfer of status shall be given to the patient and his representatives; if the patients hospitalization was authorized by order of a court, to the court which entered such order; and, if the patient was under criminal charges of which the facility received written notification, by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery to the law enforcement agency originally having custody of the patient.     History.  Code 1933,  88-404.24, enacted by Ga. L. 1971, p. 273,  1; Ga. L. 1977, p. 1293,  7; Code 1933,  88-406.6, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1986, p. 1098,  9; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  5; Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589,  3.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589,  16, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that the amendment to this Code section is applicable with respect to notices delivered on or after July 1, 2000.  
  When a physician or psychologist at a facility or on behalf of a facility determines and certifies under this article that there is reason to believe a patient admitted to or examined at the facility is an alcoholic, a drug dependent individual, or a drug abuser requiring involuntary treatment, that physician or psychologist shall further determine and certify whether there is reason to believe the patient is:   An inpatient or outpatient; and   If an outpatient, whether:   There is available outpatient treatment; and   The patient will likely comply with the outpatient treatment so as to minimize the likelihood of the patients becoming an inpatient.       Unless otherwise specifically provided, the determination and certification as to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a) of this Code section shall be made within the time period required for determining whether a patient is an alcoholic, a drug dependent individual, or a drug abuser requiring involuntary treatment, except that if such determination is made by a physician or psychologist at or on behalf of a community mental health center, the determination and certification shall be made within four hours after the patient is examined by the physician or psychologist.   A person determined and certified to be:   An outpatient;   A person for whom there is available outpatient treatment; and   Likely to comply with the outpatient treatment so as to minimize the likelihood of the patients becoming an inpatient  shall be considered to be in need of involuntary outpatient treatment and not involuntary inpatient treatment for purposes of further proceedings under this article until such time as that persons status is determined to be otherwise pursuant to those proceedings.      A person determined and certified to be an alcoholic, a drug dependent individual, or a drug abuser requiring involuntary treatment who does not meet all of the requirements of paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (c) of this Code section shall be considered to be in need of involuntary inpatient treatment and not involuntary outpatient treatment for purposes of further proceedings under this article until such time as that persons status is determined to be otherwise pursuant to those proceedings.    History. Code 1981,  37-7-90 , enacted by Ga. L. 1986, p. 1098,  10; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1902,  22.    Law reviews.    For comment, 1986 Amendments to Georgias Mental Health Statutes: The Latest Attempt to Provide a Solution to the Problem of the Chronically Mentally Ill, see 36 Emory L.J. 1313 (1987).  
  A person who is in the physical custody of a community mental health center, emergency receiving facility, or evaluating facility and who is determined by a physician or a psychologist, at or on behalf of that facility, to meet all of the outpatient treatment requirements of paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (c) of Code Section 37-7-90 shall be discharged from that facility as provided in this Code section pending a full and fair hearing or waiver thereof under Code Section 37-7-92. That discharge from a community mental health center shall occur within four hours after the patient is examined by a physician or a psychologist at or on behalf of that center. That discharge from an emergency receiving facility shall occur within 48 hours after the patients admission thereto. That discharge from an evaluating facility shall occur no later than the expiration of the five-day evaluation period established under Code Section 37-7-64.   Prior to a psychologists discharging the patient under subsection (a) of this Code section, the treating psychologist shall obtain the concurrence of a physician.  In addition, within the time period the facility is authorized to retain the patient, the facility at which or on behalf of which the patient was examined, which facility shall be the referring facility for purposes of this part, shall prepare an individualized treatment plan for the patient. This plan shall be prepared in consultation with the facility at which available outpatient treatment is to be provided the patient, which facility shall be the receiving facility for purposes of this part. The referring facility shall also make arrangements with the receiving facility to provide interim outpatient treatment, in accordance with the individualized treatment plan, to the patient pending the full and fair hearing or waiver thereof. Nothing in this Code section shall prevent a referring facility for a patient from also being the receiving facility for that patient.   A patient for whom interim outpatient treatment is arranged pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section shall obtain that treatment or be subject to the provisions of Code Section 37-7-82. Written notice of the time, date, place, and address for that interim outpatient treatment shall be provided the patient prior to the patients discharge, along with written notification that if the patient does not comply with the interim outpatient treatment or attend or waive a hearing, the time and date of which hearing will later be provided the patient, the patient may be involuntarily admitted for examination, treatment, or both. Notice of the discharge shall be provided to persons other than the patient in the same manner and under the same conditions as required by subsection (c) of Code Section 37-7-43 and subsection (d) of Code Section 37-7-64, and that notice shall also include a notice regarding the interim outpatient treatment and the consequences if the patient does not obtain the treatment or attend or waive the hearing.   Within three days after a referring facility has discharged a patient pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section, that facility shall transmit to the receiving facility a copy of the referring facilitys examination report, individualized treatment plan, and such other necessary clinical information the referring facility may have regarding the patient. Within five days after receiving such report, plan, and information, the receiving facility shall petition the court of the county in which the patient is located for a full and fair hearing pursuant to Code Section 37-7-92 and include with the petition a copy of the examination report, the individualized treatment plan, and the address to which the patient was discharged by the referring facility.   Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this Code section, a patient detained in a treatment facility pursuant to a certificate and petition under Code Section 37-7-81, whether or not that patient is subsequently determined by that facility during the time of such detention to meet all of the outpatient treatment requirements of paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (c) of Code Section 37-7-90, may not be discharged from that facility until a full and fair hearing is held pursuant to Code Section 37-7-81.1, which hearing may not be waived by any patient so determined to meet all of such outpatient treatment requirements.    History. Code 1981,  37-7-91 , enacted by Ga. L. 1986, p. 1098,  10; Ga. L. 1987, p. 797,  7, 8; Ga. L. 1989, p. 14,  37; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1902,  23.  
  Except when a hearing is waived as provided in this subsection, within 30 days after the filing of the petition under subsection (d) of Code Section 37-7-91, the court shall hold a full and fair hearing. At least ten days prior to that hearing, the court shall have served on the patient and the patients representatives the same notices and information required by paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (a) of Code Section 37-7-81, as well as a notice that the patient may waive in writing the hearing but if the patient does not either attend or waive the hearing the court may order the patient to be taken into custody, hospitalized, evaluated, and treated. The patient and representatives shall have the rights specified in those notices. Hearings held pursuant to this subsection shall be held as provided in Code Section 37-7-81.1, and the court holding the hearing may issue any order authorized by and subject to the limitations of that Code Section 37-7-81.1.   If the patient is notified of the hearing as required under subsection (a) of this Code section and does not appear at or waive that hearing, absent a showing of good cause for not appearing, the court may issue an order commanding any peace officer to take such person into custody and deliver that person to an emergency receiving facility or the referring facility if there is a physician or psychologist available there, and this chapter shall thereafter apply to that patient as though the patient had been admitted to that facility pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 37-7-41.   If the hearing is waived as provided in subsection (a) of this Code section, that hearing shall not be held but the court shall order the patient to obtain available outpatient treatment under the individualized treatment plan submitted with the petition for hearing.    History. Code 1981,  37-7-92 , enacted by Ga. L. 1986, p. 1098,  10; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1902,  24.  
  Pursuant to Code Section 37-7-81.1 or Code Section 37-7-92, the court may order the patient to obtain available outpatient treatment for any period not to exceed one year, but the total period of involuntary treatment required by such order, including inpatient treatment within the limitations of Code Section 37-7-81.1, shall not exceed one year.   If it is necessary to continue available outpatient treatment beyond the period authorized pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section, at least 60 days prior to the expiration of that period the physician or psychologist responsible for that treatment or the person responsible for the patients treatment under the direction and with approval of the physician or psychologist shall:   Update the patients individualized treatment plan;   Prepare a report containing evidence that the patient meets all the requirements for available outpatient treatment under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (c) of Code Section 37-7-90; and   Petition the hearing examiners appointed to hold hearings under Code Section 37-7-83 for an order requiring the patient to obtain available outpatient treatment beyond the period previously ordered for the patient.  The petition shall contain a plain and simple statement that the patient or the patients representatives may file a request for a hearing with a hearing examiner appointed to hold hearings pursuant to Code Section 37-7-83 within 15 days after service of the petition, that the patient has a right to counsel at the hearing, that the patient or the patients representatives may apply immediately to the court to have counsel appointed if the patient cannot afford counsel, and that the court will appoint counsel for the patient unless the patient indicates in writing that the patient does not desire to be represented by counsel or has made the patients own arrangements for counsel.      If a hearing is not requested by the patient or the representatives within 15 days of service of the petition on the patient and the patients representatives, the hearing examiner shall make an independent review of the report, the updated individualized treatment plan, and the petition. If the hearing examiner concludes from that review that the patient is no longer an alcoholic, a drug dependent individual, or a drug abuser requiring involuntary treatment, then that hearing examiner shall order that a hearing be held pursuant to subsection (d) of this Code section. If the hearing examiner concludes that the patient meets all the requirements for available outpatient treatment under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (c) of Code Section 37-7-90, then the hearing examiner shall order continued outpatient treatment for a period not to exceed one year.   If the hearing examiner orders a hearing pursuant to subsection (c) or (e) of this Code section or if a hearing is requested within 15 days of service of the petition on the patient and the patients representatives, the hearing examiner shall set a time and place for the hearing to be held within 25 days of the time the hearing examiner receives the request but in any event no later than the day on which the current order of involuntary outpatient treatment expires. Notice of the hearing shall be served on the patient, the patients representatives, the facility providing outpatient treatment for the patient, and, when appropriate, on counsel for the patient. The hearing examiner, within that persons discretion, may grant a change of venue for the convenience of parties or witnesses. Such hearing shall be a full and fair hearing. After such hearing, the hearing examiner may issue any order which the court is authorized to issue under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (a) of Code Section 37-7-81.1 and subject to the limitations of that Code section. If the patient does not appear at the hearing, absent a showing of good cause, the hearing examiner may issue any order the court is authorized to issue under subsection (b) of Code Section 37-7-92.   The hearing examiner for a patient who is ordered to obtain available outpatient treatment, who is under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, and who reaches the age of 17 without having had a full and fair hearing pursuant to any provisions of this article or without having waived such hearing shall order that a hearing be held pursuant to subsection (d) of this Code section.    History. Code 1981,  37-7-93 , enacted by Ga. L. 1986, p. 1098,  10; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  37; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1902,  25.    Code Commission notes.    Pursuant to  28-9-5 , in 1991, the comma was deleted following treatment the second time it appears in subsection (b).  
  Each individualized treatment plan for available outpatient treatment shall be reviewed at regular intervals to determine the patients progress toward the stated goals and objectives of the plan and to determine whether the plan should be modified because of the patients present condition. These reviews should be based upon relevant progress notes in the patients clinical record and upon other related information; and input from the patient should be obtained and utilized where feasible.   Any time a patient is found by the physician or psychologist in charge of the patients outpatient treatment no longer to be an alcoholic, a drug dependent individual, or a drug abuser requiring involuntary treatment, that physician or psychologist shall discharge the patient from further compliance with the treatment.   Notice of the discharge under subsection (b) of this Code section shall be given to the patient and his representatives; to the court which originally ordered such involuntary treatment; and, if the patient was under criminal charges of which the facility received written notification, by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery to the law enforcement agency originally having custody of the patient.    History. Code 1981,  37-7-94 , enacted by Ga. L. 1986, p. 1098,  10; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  38; Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589,  3.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589,  16, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that the amendment to this Code section is applicable with respect to notices delivered on or after July 1, 2000.  
 Notwithstanding any other provisions of any part of this article, a patient under criminal charges, notice of which has been given in writing to the facility, may only be discharged from the physical custody of a facility if the facility, by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery, provides written notification of the proposed discharge to the law enforcement agency originally having custody of the patient and the patient is discharged into the physical custody of a peace officer from that agency. That agency shall be required to assume such physical custody within five days after receipt in writing of the notification of proposed discharge.   History. Code 1981,  37-7-95 , enacted by Ga. L. 1986, p. 1098,  10; Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589,  3.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589,  16, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that the amendment to this Code section is applicable with respect to notices delivered on or after July 1, 2000.  
  The department may designate the state owned or state operated facility to which a patient is to be admitted under this chapter. The department may instead designate a private facility, approved under Code Section 37-7-7, to which the patient is to be admitted, if the department has obtained the prior agreement of the private facility and of the patient or his representatives.   A patient hospitalized in a state owned or state operated facility under this chapter may apply for transfer at his own expense to a private facility approved under Code Section 37-7-7 if he is able to pay for treatment at such private facility. If the private facility agrees to accept the patient, the department shall transfer the patient to that facility.   If a private facility requests the department to take custody of a patient who has been hospitalized therein under this chapter and if the patient meets the criteria for admission under this chapter, then the department shall accept the patient and designate the state owned or state operated facility to which the patient shall be admitted.   When the needs of the patient or efficient utilization of any facility so requires, a patient may be transferred from one facility to another. At the time of any such transfer, notice shall be given in writing to the patient and to his representatives and the patient shall be advised in writing of the reasons for his transfer. A voluntary patient may be transferred only with his consent.   A patient hospitalized in a private facility, approved under Code Section 37-7-7, or that patients representative may request that facility to transfer the patient to a state owned or operated facility. That private facility shall then request the department to take custody of the patient. If the patient meets the criteria for admission under this chapter, then the private facility shall transfer the patient and the department shall accept the patient and designate the state owned or state operated facility to which the patient shall be admitted.     History.  Code 1933,  88-406.4, enacted by Ga. L. 1971, p. 273,  1; Code 1933,  88-402.16, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1982, p. 3,  37; Ga. L. 1985, p. 873,  2.  
  The governing authority of the county where the patient is found or located shall arrange for initial emergency transport of the patient to an emergency receiving facility. Except as otherwise authorized under subsection (b) of this Code section, the governing authority of the county of the patients residence shall arrange for all required transportation for mental health purposes subsequent to the initial transport. The type of vehicle employed shall be in the discretion of the governing authority of the county, provided that, whenever possible, marked vehicles normally used for the transportation of criminals or those accused of crimes shall not be used for the transportation of patients. The court shall, upon the request of the community mental health center, order the sheriff to transport the patient in such manner as the patients condition demands. At any time the community mental health center is satisfied that the patient can be transported safely by family members or friends, such private transportation shall be encouraged and authorized. In nonemergency situations, no female patient shall be transported at any time without another female in attendance who is not a patient, unless such female patient is accompanied by her husband, father, adult brother, or adult son.   Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this Code section, when a patient is under the care of a facility, the facility shall have the discretion to determine the type of vehicle to safely transport the patient and to arrange for such transportation without the need to obtain the prior approval of the governing authority of the county of the patients residence, the court, or the community mental health center. This subsection shall not prevent the facility from requesting and receiving transportation services from the governing authority of the county of the patients residence and shall not relieve the county sheriff of the duty of providing transportation. Persons providing transportation are authorized to transport a patient from a sending facility to a receiving facility but shall not release the patient under any circumstances except into the custody of the receiving facility. The use of physical restraints to ensure the safe transport of the patient shall comply with Code Section 37-7-165. When transportation is not provided by the county sheriff, the expense of such transportation shall not be billed to the county governing authority but may be billed to the patient and, unless agreed to in writing by the facility, shall not be billed to or considered an obligation of the facility.   Notwithstanding subsections (a) or (b) of this Code section, for initial transports to an emergency receiving facility initiated by a peace officer pursuant to Code Section 37-7-42, the emergency receiving facility shall coordinate all subsequent transports with the law enforcement agency employing such peace officer or a qualified private nonemergency transport provider or ambulance service.     History.  Code 1933,  88-402.17, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  17.9; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1067,  3; Ga. L. 2022, p. 26,  3-7/HB 1013.    The 2022 amendment,  effective July 1, 2022, added subsection (c).    Cross references.    Manner of marking of law enforcement and emergency vehicles,  40-8-90 et seq.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  18.1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal any provision of Chapter 5 of Title 37 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Community Services Act for the Mentally Retarded.    Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445,  19, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: This Act shall become effective on July 1, 1994; provided, however, that provisions relating to the establishment of regional and community service board boundaries and the appointments of regional boards and community service boards shall become effective on July 1, 1993, or upon whatever date is stipulated in the Act and provided, further, that the provisions authorizing a county board of health to agree to serve as the lead county board of health for only that county shall become effective upon the approval of this Act by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. The Act was approved by the Governor on April 27, 1993.   Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which amends this Code section, provides, in  19.1, not codified by the General Assembly, that the amendment is repealed on June 30, 1999; however, Ga. L. 1998, p. 870,  1, struck  19.1 of Ga. L. 1993, p. 1445, which would have repealed the 1993 amendment to this Code section.  
  If a patient ordered to be hospitalized pursuant to this chapter is eligible for hospital care or treatment by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or any other federal agency, the department, upon receipt of a certificate from such hospital showing that facilities are available and that the patient is eligible for diagnosis, care, or treatment therein, may transfer him to the custody of such agency for hospitalization. When any such patient is admitted under this Code section to any such hospital or institution within or without the state, he shall be subject to the rules and regulations of such agency. The superintendent and chief medical officer of any hospital or institution operated by such agency in which the individual is so hospitalized shall, with respect to such individual, be vested with the same powers and duties as the superintendent and chief medical officer of facilities within this state with respect to all matters under this chapter. Jurisdiction is retained in the appropriate courts of this state at any time to inquire into the mental condition of an individual so hospitalized to determine the necessity for continuance of his hospitalization and to order his release; and every transfer of a patient by the department pursuant to this Code section is so conditioned.   An order of a court of competent jurisdiction of another state, territory, or possession or of the District of Columbia authorizing hospitalization of a patient by any agency of the United States shall have the same force and effect as to the patient while in this state as in the jurisdiction in which is situated the court entering the order; and the courts of the state, territory, possession, or district issuing such order shall be deemed to have retained jurisdiction of the patient so hospitalized for the purpose of inquiring into his mental condition and determining the necessity for continuance of his hospitalization, as is provided in subsection (a) of this Code section with respect to patients ordered hospitalized by the courts of this state. Consent is given for the application of the law of the state, territory, possession, or district in which is located the court issuing the order for hospitalization with respect to the authority of the chief medical officer of any hospital or institution operated in this state by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or any other federal agency to retain custody, transfer, furlough, or discharge the patient therein hospitalized.     History.  Code 1933,  88-407.4, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1990, p. 45,  1.  
 Upon application to the department by a parent, spouse, next of kin, or guardian or by an agency of another state in which the patient is hospitalized, a patient shall be eligible to be hospitalized in the State of Georgia if found by the department to be a legal resident of this state. The department shall designate a hospital to which such patient is to be transported at no expense to the State of Georgia. The regional state hospital administrator of such hospital and the next of kin or guardian of the patient shall be notified of this action. The chief medical officer shall be authorized to hospitalize the patient for a period not to exceed five days unless prior to the expiration of such period the patient shall have voluntarily agreed to hospitalization or involuntary proceedings shall have been instituted under this chapter. After a thorough physical and mental examination has been made by the medical staff of such hospital, the chief medical officer of the hospital or his designee is authorized to sign an application for involuntary hospitalization if necessary. Such application shall be forwarded to the court of the county in which that hospital is located for action pursuant to the provisions of this chapter relative thereto.    History.  Code 1933,  88-407.8, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-18.  
 If a hospitalized patient is discovered not to be a resident, the regional state hospital administrator of the treatment facility in which the patient is hospitalized shall seek his transfer to the custody of authorities of the state of his residence or to a publicly owned or publicly operated psychiatric hospital in that state. Notwithstanding an individuals status as a nonresident, nothing contained in this Code section shall prevent the voluntary hospitalization of such individual under this chapter for which due payment is made by such individual or others on his behalf nor shall it prevent the transfer, custody, care, or treatment of such individual in accordance with the terms of any reciprocal agreement between the State of Georgia and any other state, the District of Columbia, or any territory or possession of the United States. This Code section shall not apply to persons confined to any facility operated by or under the control of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or any other federal agency.    History.  Code 1933,  88-407.3, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1990, p. 45,  1; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-18.    Cross references.    Rights of citizens of other states while in Georgia generally,  1-2-9 .  
 It is the policy of this state that no person shall be denied care and treatment for alcoholism, drug dependency, or drug abuse nor shall services be delayed at a facility of the state or a political subdivision of the state because of inability to pay for such care and treatment.    History.  Code 1933,  88-402.3, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1.    Cross references.    Payment of patient expenses for support and treatment in state institutions generally, T. 37, C. 9.  
  The responsibility for paying the expenses for transporting, examining, and caring for patients, which expenses are not provided for under Chapter 9 of this title, relating to the payment of costs of care of persons admitted to state institutions under the department, shall be in the following order:   The patient or his estate;   Persons legally obligated or legally responsible for the support of the patient;   The county of the patients legal residence, provided that the county governing authority passes an appropriate resolution assuming such responsibility; and   The department, when the General Assembly appropriates funds for such purpose.     The patient or those legally obligated for his support shall not be responsible for such expenses as described above where they were incurred in transporting a patient who is released by a court or a facility before involuntary treatment as not being an alcoholic, a drug dependent individual, or a drug abuser in need of involuntary treatment.   The board is authorized to issue rules and regulations governing the provisions of this Code section as it relates to the department.     History.  Code 1933,  88-407.7, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1.    Cross references.    Payment of costs of hospital care for the indigent,  31-8-1 et seq.   Medical assistance generally,  49-4-140 et seq.  
  Except as provided in this Code section, the expenses of any hearing held under this chapter by a court or by a hearing examiner, including attorneys fees authorized by paragraph (1) of subsection (b) of this Code section and including hearing officer expenses authorized by paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of this Code section, shall be paid by the county in which the patient has his residence or, if the patient is a transient, by the county in which the patient was initially taken into the custody of the state. Payment by such county of the hearing expenses shall only be required if the person who actually presides over the hearing executes an affidavit or includes a statement in his final order relating to the hearing that the assets of the patient, his estate, and any persons legally obligated to support the patient appear to be insufficient to defray such expenses, based upon all relevant information available to the person who actually presides over the hearing. Such affidavit or statement may include the patients name, address, and age. The cost on appeal to the appropriate court shall be the same as provided for in other appeals from the probate and juvenile courts.   Expenses of any hearing held under this chapter shall include:   The fee to be paid to an attorney appointed under this chapter to represent a patient at such hearing. Such fee shall be as agreed between the attorney and the appointing court but shall not exceed an amount determined under the fee schedule followed by the county when computing the fees to be paid to an attorney who has been appointed to represent an indigent criminal defendant plus actual expenses which an attorney may incur and which have been approved by the court holding the hearing. In exceptional circumstances, the attorney may apply to the superior court of the judicial circuit in which the hearing was held for an order granting reasonable fees in excess of the amounts specified in this paragraph;   The fee to be paid to the court, which fee shall be to defray the cost of clerical help and the cost of any additional office space and equipment required for the conduct of such hearing. In hearings conducted pursuant to Code Section 37-7-83 such fee shall be $20.00 and in all other hearings under this chapter such fee shall be $40.00, excluding attorneys fees and expenses of the hearing officer; and   The fee to be paid to a hearing officer appointed pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (7) of Code Section 37-7-1 to conduct a hearing. Such fee shall be as agreed between the hearing officer and the appointing court, but shall not exceed an amount determined under the fee schedule followed by the county when computing the fees to be paid to an attorney who has been appointed to represent an indigent criminal defendant plus actual expenses which the hearing officer may incur and which have been approved by the court holding the hearing. In exceptional circumstances, the hearing officer may apply to the superior court of the judicial circuit in which the hearing was held for an order granting reasonable fees in excess of the amounts specified in this paragraph. The $40.00 court cost authorized by paragraph (2) of this subsection shall also be authorized to defray the cost of clerical help and additional office space and equipment required for the conduct of such hearing.       History.  Code 1933,  88-407.2, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1979, p. 1042,  1; Ga. L. 1985, p. 875,  3.  
 Patients shall retain all rights and privileges granted other persons or citizens. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, no person who is receiving or has received services for alcoholism or drug abuse shall be deprived of any civil, political, personal, or property rights or be considered legally incompetent for any purpose without due process of law.    History.  Code 1933,  88-411, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499,  1; Code 1933,  88-406.5, enacted by Ga. L. 1971, p. 273,  1; Code 1933,  88-402.1, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1.    Cross references.    Rights of persons generally, T. 1, C. 2.   Habitual intoxication or habitual drug addiction as grounds for divorce,  19-5-3 .  
 It shall be the responsibility of the department to see that every patient is given the opportunity to secure legal counsel at his own expense to represent him in connection with private, personal, domestic, business, civil, criminal, and all other legal matters in which he may be involved during hospitalization.    History.  Code 1933,  88-402.15, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1.    Cross references.    Right to legal counsel generally, U.S. Const., amend. 6 and Ga. Const. 1983, Art. I, Sec. I, Para. XIV.  
  Each patient in a facility shall have the right to communicate freely and privately with persons outside the facility and to receive visitors inside the facility.   Except as otherwise provided in this Code section, each patient shall be allowed to receive and send sealed, unopened mail; and no patients incoming or outgoing mail shall be opened, delayed, held, or censored by the facility.   If there are reasonable grounds to believe that incoming mail contains items or substances which may be dangerous to the patient or others, the chief medical officer may direct reasonable examination of such mail and, after examination, may regulate the disposition of such items or substances found therein. All writings must be presented to the patient within 24 hours of inspection.   The chief medical officer may apply to the court for a temporary order to restrict outgoing mail. If the court determines that probable cause exists that such mail is dangerous to the patient or others, the court may order such mail temporarily restricted, provided that a full and fair hearing shall be held within five days after the issuance of such temporary order to determine whether or not an order of restriction for an extended time shall issue. In no event shall mail be restricted pursuant to such temporary order for more than five days after the date of the temporary order. A full and fair hearing shall be held after the issuance of the temporary order. If, at such hearing, the patients outgoing mail is determined to be dangerous to the patient or others, the court may order such mail restricted for an extended period not to exceed 30 days. Restrictions for extended periods may be renewed for additional periods not to exceed 30 days each, provided that no such restriction shall be renewed except upon a renewed finding at another full and fair hearing for each such renewal that such mail is dangerous to the patient or others.   If an injunction against the sending of mail by a patient is issued by a court, the chief medical officer shall restrict outgoing mail as provided by the order of the court.   No restriction of either incoming or outgoing mail under subsection (c) or (d) of this Code section shall exceed a period of five days, notwithstanding the authority to restrict such mail for longer periods, provided that such restrictions may be continued as necessary for periods not to exceed five days each upon determination by the chief medical officer, prior to each continuation, that such mail continues to be dangerous to the patient or others; provided, further, that in the case of outgoing mail, such continuation periods in the aggregate shall not exceed the restriction period authorized in the court order.   Correspondence of the patient with his attorney shall not be restricted in any manner under this Code section. Correspondence of the patient with public officials shall not be restricted in any manner under subsection (c) of this Code section.   Each time a patients incoming mail is ordered examined by the chief medical officer and each time a patients outgoing mail is ordered examined by a temporary court order, written notice of such order and notice of a right to a full and fair hearing within five days after such temporary court order shall be served on the patient and his representatives as provided in Code Section 37-7-147. A voluntary patient may waive in writing such notice to his representatives.   The circumstances surrounding the examination of any mail under subsection (c), (d), (e), or (f) of this Code section shall be recorded on the patients clinical record.   The chief medical officer is authorized to establish reasonable regulations governing visitors, visiting hours, and the use of telephones by patients.     History.  Code 1933,  88-402.7, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1.  
 A patients rights to his personal effects shall be respected. The chief medical officer may take temporary custody of such effects when required for medical reasons. The facility shall make reasonable efforts to assure the safety of the patients belongings, but no employee or staff member shall be responsible for loss of or damage to such property where reasonable safety precautions have been taken.    History.  Code 1933,  88-402.8, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1.  
 Each patient in a facility who is eligible to vote shall be given his right to vote in primary, special, and general elections and in referendums. The superintendent or regional state hospital administrator of each facility shall permit and reasonably assist patients:    To obtain voter registration forms, applications for absentee ballots, and absentee ballots;   To comply with other requirements which are prerequisite for voting; and   To vote by absentee ballot if necessary.     History.  Code 1933,  88-402.9, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1995, p. 10,  37; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-19.    Cross references.    Right to elective franchise generally, U.S. Const., amend. 15; Ga. Const. 1983, Art. II, Sec. I, Para. II; and  1-2-6 .   Absentee voting,  21-2-380 et seq.  
 If a patient wishes to be employed outside a facility and if such employment will aid in the patients treatment, he shall be assisted in his efforts to secure suitable employment and all benefits flowing from such employment. The department shall encourage such employment of patients and shall promote the training of patients for gainful employment after discharge. All benefits of such employment shall accrue solely to the patient.    History.  Code 1933,  88-402.10, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1.  
 The rights of any child under treatment in a facility to an appropriate education at public expense shall not be abridged during hospitalization; and the special educational needs of each child shall be individually considered and respected. The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and the State Department of Education shall ensure that education is provided for all patients of school age who are hospitalized in any state owned, state operated, or any other designated facility.    History.  Code 1933,  88-402.11, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-2/HB 228.  
  At the time a patient is admitted to any facility under this chapter, that facility shall use diligent efforts to secure the names and addresses of at least two representatives, which names and addresses shall be entered in the patients clinical record.   The patient may designate one representative; the second representative or, in the absence of designation of one representative by the patient, both representatives shall be selected by the facility. If the facility is to select both representatives, it must make one selection from among the following persons in the order of listing: the patients mental health care agent, legal guardian, spouse, adult child, parent, attorney, adult next of kin, or adult friend, provided that, in the case of a patient whose representative or representatives have been appointed by the court under Code Section 37-7-62, the facility shall not select a different representative. The second representative shall also be selected from the above list but without regard to the order of listing, provided that the second representative shall not be the person who filed the petition to have the patient admitted to the facility.   If the facility is unable to secure at least two representatives after diligent search or if the department is the guardian of the patient, that fact shall be entered in the patients clinical record and the facility shall apply to the court in the county of the patients residence for the appointment of a guardian ad litem, which guardian ad litem shall not be the department. On application of any person or on its own motion, the court may also appoint a guardian ad litem for a patient for whom two representatives have been named whenever the appointment of a guardian ad litem is deemed necessary for protection of the patients rights. Such guardian ad litem shall also act as representative of the patient and shall have the powers granted to representatives by this chapter.   At any time notice is required by this chapter to be given to the patients representatives, such notice shall be served on the representatives designated under this Code section. The patients guardian ad litem, if any, shall likewise be served. Unless otherwise provided, notice may be served in person or by first-class mail. When notice is served by mail, a record shall be made of the date of mailing and shall be placed in the patients clinical record. Service shall be completed upon mailing.   At any time notice is required by this chapter to be given to the patient, the date on which notice is given shall be entered on the patients clinical record. If the patient is unable to comprehend the written notice, a reasonable effort shall be made to explain the notice to him or her.   At the time a court enters an order pursuant to this chapter, such order and notice of the date of entry of the order shall be served on the patient and his or her representatives as provided in subsection (d) of this Code section.   Notice of an involuntary patients admission to a facility shall be given to his or her representatives in writing. If such involuntary admission is to an emergency receiving facility, notice shall also be given by that facility to the patients representatives by telephone or in person as soon as possible.   In every instance in which a court shall appoint a guardian ad litem for any person pursuant to the terms of this chapter, such guardianship shall be for the limited purpose stated in the order of the court and shall expire automatically after 90 days or after a lesser time stated in the order. The responsibility of the guardian ad litem shall not extend beyond the specific purpose of the appointment.     History.  Code 1933,  88-402.18, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 2022, p. 611,  2-28/HB 752.    The 2022 amendment,  effective July 1, 2022, inserted mental health care agent, in the second sentence of subsection (b); substituted first-class for first class in the second sentence of subsection (d); added or her at the end of subsection (e); and inserted or her in subsection (f) and in the first sentence of subsection (g).    Cross references.    Guardians of incapacitated adults, T. 29, C. 5.  
  At any time and without notice, a person detained by a facility, a mental health care agent named in such persons psychiatric advance directive, a legal guardian of such person, or a relative or friend on behalf of such person may petition, as provided by law, for a writ of habeas corpus to question the cause and legality of detention and to request any court of competent jurisdiction on its own initiative to issue a writ for release, provided that, in the case of any such petition for the release of a person detained in a facility pursuant to a court order under Code Section 17-7-130 or 17-7-131, a copy of the petition along with proper certificate of service shall also be served upon the presiding judge of the court ordering such detention and the prosecuting attorney for such court, which service may be made by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery, return receipt requested.   A patient or his or her representatives may file a petition in the appropriate court alleging that the patient is being unjustly denied a right or privilege granted by this chapter or that a procedure authorized by this chapter is being abused. Upon the filing of such a petition, the court shall have the authority to conduct a judicial inquiry and to issue appropriate orders to correct any abuse under this chapter.     History.  Code 1933,  88-406.2, enacted by Ga. L. 1971, p. 273,  1; Code 1933,  88-402.14, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1980, p. 678,  1; Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589,  3; Ga. L. 2022, p. 611,  2-29/HB 752.    The 2022 amendment,  effective July 1, 2022, inserted , a mental health care agent named in such persons psychiatric advance directive, a legal guardian of such person, near the beginning of subsection (a); and inserted or her in the first sentence in subsection (b).    Cross references.    Habeas corpus generally, T. 9, C. 14.   Penalty for malicious confinement of sane person in asylum,  16-5-43 .    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589,  16, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that the amendment to this Code section is applicable with respect to notices delivered on or after July 1, 2000.  
 Each facility shall establish procedures whereby complaints of the patient or complaints of the staff concerning treatment of the patient can be speedily heard, with final decisions to be made by the superintendent, the regional state hospital administrator, or an advisory committee, whichever is appropriate. The board shall establish reasonable rules and regulations for the implementation of such procedures. However, the patient shall not be required to utilize these procedures in lieu of other available legal remedies.    History.  Code 1933,  88-402.22, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-16.    Cross references.    Reports and investigations regarding mistreatment of hospital patients, residents of long-term care facilities, and other institutions,  31-7-9, 31-8-50 et seq., 31-8-80 et seq., 31-8-100 et seq.  
 The patient, the patients representatives, or the patients attorney may appeal any order of the probate court or hearing officer rendered in a proceeding under this chapter to the superior court of the county in which the proceeding was held, except as otherwise provided in Article 6 of Chapter 9 of Title 15, and may appeal any order of the juvenile court rendered in a proceeding under this chapter to the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court. The appeal to the superior court shall be made in the same manner as appeals from the probate court to the superior court, except that the appeal shall be heard before the court sitting without a jury as soon as practicable but not later than 30 days following the date on which the appeal is filed with the clerk of the superior court. The appeal from the order of the juvenile court to the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court shall be as provided by law but shall be heard as expeditiously as possible. The patient must pay all costs upon filing any appeal authorized under this Code section or must make an affidavit that he or she is unable to pay costs. The patient shall retain all rights of review of any order of the superior court, the Court of Appeals, or the Supreme Court, as provided by law. The patient shall have a right to counsel or, if unable to afford counsel, shall have counsel appointed for the patient by the court. The appeal rights provided to the patient, the patients representatives, or the patients attorney in this Code section are in addition to any other appeal rights which the parties may have, and the provision of the right for the patient, the patients representatives, or the patients attorney to appeal does not deny the right to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to appeal under the general appeal provisions of Code Section 5-3-4.    History.  Code 1933,  88-402.19, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1986, p. 982,  13; Ga. L. 1994, p. 1072,  5; Ga. L. 1995, p. 10,  37; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-2/HB 228; Ga. L. 2016, p. 883,  3-13, 3-14/HB 927; Ga. L. 2022, p. 767,  2-29/HB 916.    Delayed effective date.    Code Section 37-7-150 is set out twice in this Code. This version, as set out above, is effective July 1, 2023. For version effective until July 1, 2023, see the preceding version.    The 2022 amendment,  effective July 1, 2023, substituted Code Section 5-3-4 for Code Sections 5-3-2 and 5-3-3 at the end of this Code section. See Editors notes for applicability.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 2022, p. 767,  3-1/HB 916, not codified by the General Assembly, makes this Code section applicable to petitions for review filed in superior or state court on or after July 1, 2023.  
 The patient, the patients representatives, or the patients attorney may appeal any order of the probate court or hearing officer rendered in a proceeding under this chapter to the superior court of the county in which the proceeding was held, except as otherwise provided in Article 6 of Chapter 9 of Title 15, and may appeal any order of the juvenile court rendered in a proceeding under this chapter to the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court. The appeal to the superior court shall be made in the same manner as appeals from the probate court to the superior court, except that the appeal shall be heard before the court sitting without a jury as soon as practicable but not later than 30 days following the date on which the appeal is filed with the clerk of the superior court. The appeal from the order of the juvenile court to the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court shall be as provided by law but shall be heard as expeditiously as possible. The patient must pay all costs upon filing any appeal authorized under this Code section or must make an affidavit that he or she is unable to pay costs. The patient shall retain all rights of review of any order of the superior court, the Court of Appeals, or the Supreme Court, as provided by law. The patient shall have a right to counsel or, if unable to afford counsel, shall have counsel appointed for the patient by the court. The appeal rights provided to the patient, the patients representatives, or the patients attorney in this Code section are in addition to any other appeal rights which the parties may have, and the provision of the right for the patient, the patients representatives, or the patients attorney to appeal does not deny the right to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to appeal under the general appeal provisions of Code Sections 5-3-2 and 5-3-3.    History.  Code 1933,  88-402.19, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1986, p. 982,  13; Ga. L. 1994, p. 1072,  5; Ga. L. 1995, p. 10,  37; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-2/HB 228; Ga. L. 2016, p. 883,  3-13, 3-14/HB 927.    Delayed effective date.    Code Section 37-7-150 is set out twice in this Code. This version is effective until July 1, 2023. For version effective July 1, 2023, see the following version.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1986, p. 982,  25, not codified by the General Assembly, provided that that Act would apply to all cases filed on or after July 1, 1986.   Ga. L. 2016, p. 883,  1-1/HB 927, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: This Act shall be known and may be cited as the Appellate Jurisdiction Reform Act of 2016.    Ga. L. 2016, p. 883,  6-1/HB 927, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: Part III of this Act shall become effective on January 1, 2017, and shall apply to cases in which a notice of appeal or application to appeal is filed on or after such date.  
 The patients dignity as an individual shall be respected at all times and upon all occasions, including any occasion wherein the patient is taken into custody, detained, or transported. Alcoholics, drug dependent individuals, or drug abusers or those suspected of being alcoholics, drug dependent individuals, or drug abusers shall, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, be treated at all times as medical patients. All patients shall be treated by a physician or psychologist acting within the scope of his or her license. Except where required under conditions of extreme urgency, those procedures, facilities, vehicles, and restraining devices normally utilized for criminals or those accused of crime shall not be used in connection with the alcoholics, drug dependent individuals, or drug abusers.    History.  Code 1933,  88-402.2, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1902,  26.  
 It is the policy of the state that the least restrictive alternative placement be secured for every patient at every stage of his medical treatment and care. It shall be the duty of the facility to assist the patient in securing placement in noninstitutional community facilities and programs.    History.  Code 1933,  88-402.21, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1.  
  Each patient in a facility and each person receiving services for alcoholism, drug dependency, or drug abuse shall receive care and treatment that is suited to his needs and is the least restrictive appropriate care and treatment. Such care and treatment shall be administered skillfully, safely, and humanely with full respect for the patients dignity and personal integrity.   Each patient shall have the right to participate in his care and treatment. The board shall issue regulations to ensure that each patient participates in his care and treatment to the maximum extent possible. Unless the disclosure to the patient is determined by the chief medical officer or the patients treating physician or psychologist to be detrimental to the physical or mental health of the patient and unless a notation to that effect is made a part of the patients record, the patient shall have the right to reasonable access to review his medical file, to be told his diagnosis, to be consulted on the treatment recommendation, and to be fully informed concerning his medication, including its side effects and available treatment alternatives.   It is the duty of the chief medical officer to ensure that each patient receives such medical attention as is suitable to his condition and that no treatment shall be given which is not recognized as standard psychiatric treatment, except upon the written consent of the patient or, if applicable, his guardian having capacity to give such consent. If such consent is given by someone other than the patient or such guardian, court approval must be obtained after a full and fair hearing.   If a patient hospitalized under this chapter is able to secure the services of a private physician or psychologist, he shall be allowed to see his physician or psychologist at any reasonable time. The chief medical officer is authorized and directed to establish regulations designed to facilitate examination and treatment which a patient may request from such private physician or psychologist.   Every patient admitted to a facility under this chapter shall be examined by the staff of the admitting facility as soon as possible after his admission.     History.  Code 1933,  88-402.4, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  39; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1902,  27.  
  It shall be the policy of this state to recognize the personal physical integrity of all patients.   It shall be the policy of this state to protect, within reason, the right of every individual to refuse medication except in cases where a physician determines that refusal would be unsafe to the patient or others. If the patient continues to refuse medication after such initial emergency treatment, a concurring opinion from a second physician must be obtained before medication can be continued without the patients consent. Further, in connection with any hearing under this chapter, the patient has the right to appear and testify as free from any side effects or adverse effects of the medication as is reasonably possible.   Any patient objecting to the treatment being administered to him shall have a right to request a protective order pursuant to Code Section 37-7-148.   Except as provided in subsections (b) and (e) of this Code section, consent to medical treatment and surgery shall be obtained and regulated by Chapter 9 of Title 31.   In cases of grave emergency where the medical staff of the facility in which an alcoholic, a drug dependent individual, or a drug abuser has been accepted for treatment determines that immediate surgical or other intervention is necessary to prevent serious physical consequences or death and where delay in obtaining consent would create a grave danger to the physical health of such person, as determined by at least two physicians, then essential surgery or other intervention may be administered without the consent of the person, the spouse, next of kin, attorney, guardian, or any other person. In such cases, a record of the determination of the physicians shall be entered into the medical records of the patient and this will be proper consent for such surgery or other intervention. Such consent will be valid notwithstanding the type of admission of the patient and it shall also be valid whether or not the patient has been adjudged incompetent. This Code section is intended to apply to those individuals who, as a result of their advanced age, impaired thinking, or other disability, cannot reasonably understand the consequences of withholding consent to surgery or other intervention as contemplated by this Code section. Any physician, agent, employee, or official who obtains consent or relies on such consent, as authorized by this Code section, and who acts in good faith and within the provisions of this chapter shall be immune from civil or criminal liability for his actions in connection with the obtaining of or the relying upon such consent. Actual notice of any action taken pursuant to this Code section shall be given to the patient and the spouse, next of kin, attorney, guardian, or representative of the patient as soon as practicably possible.     History.  Code 1933,  88-406.8, enacted by Ga. L. 1977, p. 887,  1; Code 1933,  88-402.6, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1995, p. 1302,  13.  
  As used in this Code section, the term:   Representative means the representative designated by the patient or, in the absence of such designation, the person selected as a representative in the order of listing under subsection (b) of Code Section 37-7-147 but shall not mean the patients legal guardian if the department is such guardian. At the time of designation or selection, such representative shall be notified of his right to notice and to consultation under this Code section. In order to exercise such rights, the representative shall notify the department on a form supplied by the department of his election to exercise such rights. Upon receiving such notice, the department shall thereafter provide that representative the notification and consultation required by this Code section until that representative notifies the department to the contrary. A patient need not be notified of his representatives rights under this Code section unless such representative has elected to exercise such rights.   Substantial change means a significant change including but not limited to the transfer within a facility of a patient from a unit primarily serving patients under 18 years of age to a unit primarily serving patients 18 years of age or over or the transfer of a patient from one facility to another but shall not include:   Changes in the routine day-to-day care of the patient;   Routine or periodic changes or adjustments in patient medication;   Changes relating to routine or necessary medical care needs of the patient;   Formulation of the patients initial individualized treatment plan;   Changes specifically contemplated in a treatment plan regarding which the representative has already received notification; or   Discharge of the patient from the facility.       At the time an adult patients representative is designated or selected under Code Section 37-7-147 and at least every 12 months thereafter, such patient shall be notified that, unless objected to by the patient, such representative will be permitted to consult with the facility regarding the development of the patients individualized treatment plan and the patients treatment under such plan. The representative of a minor patient and the representative of an adult patient not objecting to consultation as authorized by this Code section may consult with the facility regarding the development of such patients individualized treatment plan and the patients treatment under such plan.   At least seven days prior to any substantial change in the individualized treatment plan or treatment thereunder of an adult patient, the facility to which the patient has been admitted shall notify the patient that it will notify his representative of such change, unless the patient objects to such notification within 24 hours. A patients representative shall be notified at least five days prior to any substantial change in such patients individualized treatment plan or the treatment under such plan unless such patient is an adult and objects to such notification.   In an emergency where the delay due to providing prior notification under subsection (c) of this Code section would create serious damage to the health of the patient, such a substantial change may be made without such prior notification. The patients record shall specify the circumstances surrounding the emergency. Within 48 hours after the change, an adult patient shall be notified of his right to object within 24 hours to his representatives being notified of such change. A patients representative shall be notified of such change within five days after such change occurs unless the patient is an adult and objects to such notification pursuant to subsection (c) of this Code section.   Notification to representatives under subsections (c) and (d) of this Code section may be made by telephone if the date and time of such notification is entered on the patients clinical record and if such notification is followed within 15 days by written notification.   A patients legal guardian shall have the consultation and notification rights of a patients representative under subsections (b) through (d) of this Code section regardless of whether the patient is a minor or whether the patient objects to such consultation or notification. A patient for whom a legal guardian has been appointed shall not be notified of any right to object under this Code section.     History.  Code 1933,  88-402.24, enacted by Ga. L. 1980, p. 1451,  1.  
  Mistreatment, neglect, or abuse in any form of any patient is prohibited. Medication in quantities that interfere with the patients treatment program is prohibited. All medication, seclusion, or physical restraints are to be used solely for the purposes of providing effective treatment and protecting the safety of the patient and other persons.   Physical restraints shall not be applied unless they are determined by an attending physician, a psychologist involved in the care and treatment of a patient, or a clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric/mental health involved in the care and treatment of the patient to be absolutely necessary in order to prevent a patient from seriously injuring himself or others and are required by the patients medical needs. Such determination shall expire after 24 hours. An attending physician, a psychologist involved in the care and treatment of a patient, or a clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric/mental health involved in the care and treatment of the patient must then make a new determination before the restraint may be continued. Every use of a restraint and the reasons therefor shall be made a part of the clinical record of the patient. A copy of each such entry or a summary of such entry shall be forwarded to the chief medical officer for review. A patient placed in physical restraint shall be checked at least every 30 minutes by staff trained in the use of restraints and a written record of such checks shall be made. When the application of a restraint is necessary in emergency situations to protect the patient from immediate injury to himself or herself or to others, restraints may be authorized by attending staff who must immediately report the action taken to the physician and any psychologist involved in the care and treatment of the patient. The facility shall have written policies and procedures which govern the use of restraints and which clearly delineate, in descending order, the personnel who can authorize the use of restraints in emergency situations.   For the purposes of this Code section, those devices which restrain movement, but are applied for protection from accidental injury or required for the medical treatment of the patients physical condition or for supportive or corrective needs of the patient, shall not be considered physical restraints. However, devices used in such situations must be authorized and applied in compliance with the facilitys policies and procedures. The use of such devices shall be a part of the patients individualized treatment plan.     History.  Code 1933,  88-402.5, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1982, p. 937,  1, 12; Ga. L. 1997, p. 911,  6.    Cross references.    Abuse and mistreatment of hospital patients, residents of long-term care facilities, and other institutions,  31-7-9, 31-8-50 et seq., 31-8-80 et seq., 31-8-100 et seq.  
  A clinical record for each patient shall be maintained. Authorized release of the record shall include but not be limited to examination of the original record, copies of all or any portion of the record, or disclosure of information from the record, except for matters privileged under the laws of this state.  Such examination shall be conducted on hospital premises as determined by the facility. The clinical record shall not be a public record and no part of it shall be released except:   A copy of the record may be released to any person or entity designated in writing by the patient or, if appropriate, the parent of a minor, the legal guardian of an adult or minor, or a person to whom legal custody of a minor patient has been given by order of a court;   (1.1)  A copy of the record of a deceased patient or deceased former patient may be released to or in response to a valid subpoena of a coroner or medical examiner under Chapter 16 of Title 45, except for matters privileged under the laws of this state;    When a patient is admitted to a facility, a copy of the record or information contained in the record from another facility, community mental health center, or private practitioner may be released to the admitting facility. When the treatment plan of a patient involves transfer of that patient to another facility, community mental health center, or private practitioner, a copy of the record or information contained in the record may be released to that facility, community mental health center, or private practitioner;   A copy of the record or any part thereof may be disclosed to any employee or staff member of the facility when it is necessary for the proper treatment of the patient;   A copy of the record shall be released to the patients attorney if the attorney so requests and the patient, or the patients legal guardian, consents to the release;   In a bona fide medical emergency, as determined by a physician treating the patient, the chief medical officer may release a copy of the record to the treating physician or to the patients psychologist;   At the request of the patient, the patients legal guardian, or the patients attorney, the record shall be produced by the entity having custody thereof at any hearing held under this chapter;   Except for matters privileged under the laws of this state, the record shall be produced in response to a court order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction pursuant to a full and fair show cause hearing;   A copy of the patients clinical record may be released under the conditions and for the uses and purposes set forth in Code Section 31-7-6;   A copy of the record may be released to the legal representative of a deceased patients estate, except for matters privileged under the laws of this state; and   Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a law enforcement officer in the course of investigating the commission of a crime on the premises of a facility covered by this chapter or against facility personnel or a threat to commit such a crime may be informed as to the circumstances of the incident, including whether the individual allegedly committing or threatening to commit a crime is or has been a patient in the facility, and the name, address, and last known whereabouts of any alleged patient perpetrator.     In connection with any hearing held under this chapter, any physician, including any psychiatrist, or any psychologist who is treating or who has treated the patient shall be authorized to give evidence as to any matter concerning the patient, including evidence as to communications otherwise privileged under Code Section 24-5-501, 24-12-1, or 43-39-16.   Any disclosure authorized by this Code section or any unauthorized disclosure of confidential or privileged patient information or communications shall not in any way abridge or destroy the confidential or privileged character thereof, except for the purpose for which such authorized disclosure is made. Any person making a disclosure authorized by this Code section shall not be liable to the patient or any other person, notwithstanding any contrary provision of Code Section 24-5-501, 24-12-1, or 43-39-16.     History.  Code 1933,  88-402.12, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1979, p. 744,  4, 5; Ga. L. 1984, p. 594,  1; Ga. L. 1985, p. 996,  1; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  40, 41; Ga. L. 1994, p. 1072,  6; Ga. L. 1995, p. 10,  37; Ga. L. 2011, p. 99,  55/HB 24.    Code Commission notes.    Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 1991, the amendment by Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  40, has been treated as an amendment to paragraph (5), not paragraph (6), since this was the apparent intent.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 2011, p. 99,  101/HB 24, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that this Act shall apply to any motion made or hearing or trial commenced on or after January 1, 2013.    Law reviews.    For article, Evidence, see 27 Ga. St. U. L. Rev. 1 (2011).   For article on the 2011 amendment of this Code section, see 28 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 1 (2011).  
  Except as provided in subsection (b) of Code Section 37-7-162, every patient shall have the right to examine all medical records kept in the patients name by the department or the facility where the patient was hospitalized or treated.   Every patient shall have the right to request that any inaccurate information found in his medical record be corrected.   The board shall promulgate reasonable rules and regulations to implement subsections (a) and (b) of this Code section. Nothing contained in this Code section shall be construed to require the deletion of information by the department nor constrain the department from destroying patient records after a reasonable passage of time.   Notwithstanding paragraphs (7) and (8) of Code Section 15-9-37, all files and records of a court in a proceeding under this chapter shall remain sealed and shall be open to inspection only upon order of the court issued after notice to the patient and subject to the provisions of Code Section 37-7-166 pertaining to the medical portions of the record, provided that the court may refer to such files and records in any subsequent proceeding under this chapter concerning the same patient, on condition that the files and records of such subsequent proceeding will then be sealed in accordance with this subsection. The court may permit authorized representatives of recognized organizations compiling statistics for proper purposes to inspect and make abstracts from official records, but without personal identifying information and under whatever conditions upon their use and distribution that the court may deem proper; and the court may punish by contempt any violations of those conditions. Otherwise, inspection of the sealed files and records may be permitted only by an order of the court upon petition by the person who is the subject of the records and only by those persons named in the order.     History.  Code 1933,  88-402.13, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1.    Cross references.    Release of medical information generally,  24-12-1 et seq.  
 The patients attorney shall have the right, at reasonable times, to interview the physician or psychologist and staff who have attended or are now attending the patient in any facility and to have the patients records interpreted by them. The chief medical officer is authorized and directed to establish reasonable regulations to make available to the patients attorney all such information in the possession of the facility as the attorney requires in order to advise and represent the patient concerning his hospitalization.    History.  Code 1933,  88-402.20, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856,  1; Ga. L. 1991, p. 1059,  42.    Cross references.    Release of medical information generally,  24-12-1 et seq.  
 This chapter shall be known and may be cited as The Patient Cost of Care Act.    History.  Ga. L. 1979, p. 834,  1.    Law reviews.    For note examining constitutional implications of this chapter, with a comparison of similar statutes and their treatment in other jurisdictions, see 12 Mercer L. Rev. 355 (1961).   For note, The Parity Cure: Solving Unequal Treatment of Mental Illness Health Insurance Through Federal Legislation, see 44 Ga. L. Rev. 511 (2010).  
 Hearings shall be held in accordance with Chapter 13 of Title 50, the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act, and judicial review of a final decision by the department shall be as provided in Code Section 50-13-19.    History.  Ga. L. 1979, p. 834,  9.  
 The department shall bill persons liable for cost of care for the amount due on their assessments in the same manner as other debts and accounts. No bill shall be payable unless it contains the dates of service for which the costs billed therein were incurred. The department is authorized to maintain in the name of the department and the State of Georgia any action at law or equity in any court of this state or any other state which may be necessary to collect such sums.    History.  Ga. L. 1960, p. 1138,  10; Ga. L. 1979, p. 834,  10; Ga. L. 1996, p. 949,  1.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1996, p. 949,  2, effective April 15, 1996, provides that the 1996 amendment becomes effective only when funds are specifically appropriated for purposes of that Act in an Appropriations Act making specific reference to that Act. Funds were not appropriated at the 1996, 1997, or 1998 session of the General Assembly. Funds were appropriated at the 1999 session of the General Assembly.    Law reviews.    For comment advocating legislative determination of parental liability for costs of institutional custody of child involuntarily committed to a mental health facility in response to criminal behavior in light of Treglown v. Department of Health & Social Servs., 38 Wis. 2d 317, 156 N.W.2d 363 (1968), see 19 Mercer L. Rev. 457 (1968).  
 The board shall have the authority to promulgate necessary rules and regulations to implement and carry out this chapter. Such rules and regulations shall be adopted and promulgated pursuant to the requirements of Chapter 13 of Title 50, the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act.    History.  Ga. L. 1979, p. 834,  12.  
 As used in this chapter, the term:    Assessment means a determination by the department of the amount payable by the persons liable for cost of care for services rendered to a patient; such amount shall be either the full cost of care or, if applicable, the amount payable toward cost of care, determined in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 37-9-5.  It is expressly provided that there shall be a rebuttable presumption that the full cost of care is to be imposed. This presumption shall prevail until testimony, documentation, or evidence is provided pursuant to other provisions of this chapter.   Cost of care means the costs incurred for the support, care, and treatment of each individual patient or the per patient average of such costs as determined by the department on the basis of the estimated current operating costs of the hospital or an identifiable part or section thereof providing such services.   Income, except for patients who are residents of other states, means that amount determined by adding to the gross income as now or hereafter defined in Georgia income tax laws, minus deductions and personal exemptions as authorized by such income tax laws, the items listed in this paragraph, if such items are not already included in gross income as defined above.  For a patient who is a resident of another state, income means the same as above except no deductions will be made for any deductions or personal exemptions as authorized by Georgia income tax laws. The following items are to be added, respectively:   Any amounts received by or on behalf of the person liable for cost of care from accident insurance or workers compensation for total or partial incapacity to work, plus the amount of any damages received by or on behalf of the person liable for cost of care, whether by suit or agreement, on account of such injuries or sickness;   The net income from property acquired by gift, bequest, devise, or descent;   Interest upon obligations of the United States government or of this state or of a political subdivision thereof;   The net income from individual holdings of stock in banks and trust companies incorporated under the banking laws of this state or of the United States;   Retirement income, social security benefits, veterans benefits, and any other benefits that could be applied for the support of the patient;   The net income from any other assets, including but not limited to personal property, real property, or mixed property, and any other property or estate wherever located and in whatever form, inclusive of any assets sold or transferred within a period of 90 days prior to the date services were first rendered to the patient by a hospital.     Patient means any person who is admitted to or who receives services from a state hospital.   Persons liable for cost of care means:   The patient or his estate;   The patients spouse;   The parent or parents of any patient under 18 years of age;   Any fiduciary or representative payee holding assets for the patient or on his behalf, including, in his representative capacity, the guardian, trustee, executor, or administrator of any trust, estate, inheritance, or fund in which a patient has a legal or beneficial interest;   Any person, if not otherwise liable, listed as the insured member of a contract, plan, or benefit to the extent that such contract, plan, or benefit provides payment of hospitalization, medical expenses, and other health care services for the patient as a covered beneficiary or dependent;   A stepparent or any other person residing with and providing support of a patient under 18 years of age who has not been legally adopted by such individual, with maximum liability limited to the amount such stepparent or other individual is authorized by Georgia income tax laws to claim as a standard deduction and personal exemption for the patient; provided, however, that this limitation shall not apply to liability pursuant to other provisions of this chapter regarding hospital, health, and other medical insurance, program, or plan benefits or subrogation rights.     State hospital means any state hospital which now or hereafter comes under the control of the department and any facility operated in conjunction therewith.     History.  Ga. L. 1960, p. 1138,  1; Ga. L. 1966, p. 143,  1, 2; Ga. L. 1979, p. 834,  2; Ga. L. 1984, p. 22,  37; Ga. L. 1985, p. 987,  1; Ga. L. 1987, p. 3,  37; Ga. L. 1992, p. 6,  37; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1445,  1; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1324,  1-17; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-20/HB 228.  
 Care rendered to all patients in state hospitals shall be of the same nature and quality without regard to whether the payment of any sum or sums is made under this chapter for the cost of care.    History.  Ga. L. 1960, p. 1138,  11; Ga. L. 1979, p. 834,  11.    Law reviews.    For note, Payment of Cost for Care of Patients in State Institutions Act  A New Approach in Georgia, see 12 Mercer L. Rev. 343 (1961).  
 Each patient receiving services from a state hospital shall be legally responsible for, and shall pay to the department, the cost of his care received from a state hospital. Payments for cost of care shall be payable following the receipt of services in accordance with standards and procedures established by the board. In the event the department is unable to collect the assessment from the patient or in the event the patients assessment is less than the full cost of care for such patient, all other persons liable for the cost of care for such patient shall pay to the department their respective assessments as provided by Code Section 37-9-5.    History.  Ga. L. 1960, p. 1138,  4, 5; Ga. L. 1966, p. 143,  3, 4; Ga. L. 1979, p. 834,  5; Ga. L. 1982, p. 3,  37.    Law reviews.    For comment advocating legislative determination of parental liability for costs of institutional custody of child involuntarily committed to a mental health facility in response to criminal behavior in light of Treglown v. Department of Health & Social Servs., 38 Wis. 2d 317, 156 N.W.2d 363 (1968), see 19 Mercer L. Rev. 457 (1968).  
  The department shall determine all persons who are liable for the cost of care of a patient and notify such persons of their joint and several liability and of their assessment. Such notice shall offer opportunity for any person so notified to be heard to show cause, if there be any, why such person should not be liable for payment of the assessment.   When the department determines that persons legally liable for the cost of care of a patient do not have sufficient income or assets to pay the entire cost of care, the department shall determine for each such person the amount payable toward cost of care which shall be a fair and equitable amount based on ability to pay determined in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 37-9-6. When applicable, the notice provided for in subsection (a) of this Code section shall reflect as the assessment the amount payable toward cost of care provided for in this chapter; and if a hearing is requested by any person receiving such notice, such person may question his liability for cost of care as well as the amount of his assessment.  Failure of the patient or other persons liable for cost of care to provide financial information to the department required to determine assessments on the basis of ability to pay in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 37-9-6 or failure of the patient or other persons liable for cost of care to cooperate with the department in obtaining payment of any insurance or health benefits available for a patient may result in assessment of such persons of the full cost of care of the patient.  Failure of the patient or other persons liable for cost of care to cooperate with the department in applying on behalf of the patient for federal benefits and insurance, program, or plan benefits in order that a determination may be made of eligibility for such benefits may also result in assessment of such persons of the full cost of care of the patient and the burden of providing information to reduce the full cost of care is on the patient or other persons liable for cost of care.   Any investigation or hearing regarding ability to pay shall not operate to deny or delay admission of a patient to a hospital or to deny or delay providing services for such patient.   It shall be the duty of the department to reexamine the assessment periodically and either reduce or increase such assessment as hereinafter provided in accordance with changes in the ability to pay of the person liable for cost of care. If the department determines that the economic circumstances of a person liable for cost of care have improved to an extent justifying an increase in the assessment, any such increase shall apply only to cost of care for services rendered for the patient after the effective date of the increase in assessment and no such increase shall cause the assessment to exceed the total cost of care. The department may not increase an assessment as provided in this Code section without affording the person liable for cost of care an opportunity for a hearing on the question of the increase in the assessment. A person liable for cost of care may apply to the department for a change in the assessment when the persons economic circumstances have changed sufficiently to affect adversely his future ability to pay. If an assessment for services previously rendered for a patient is being paid in accordance with a scheduled plan of payments approved by the department, then a reduction in assessment because of a change in the economic circumstances affecting adversely the ability to pay of the person liable for cost of care may apply to that portion of the assessment for services previously rendered for the patient which remain unpaid as of the date of the reduction of the assessment as well as to the assessment for cost of services rendered after the date of the reduction. However, no such reduction shall require the refund of any payments made on an assessment prior to the date of the reduction of the assessment. After investigation and hearing, the department shall act upon the application made by the person liable for cost of care. Any redetermination of the assessment pursuant to this subsection shall be subject to the requirements of Code Section 37-9-6.  Notwithstanding any reexamination or corresponding adjustment of an assessment which might be afforded, each assessment shall be valid for a period of 12 months from the date of the initial assessment or any reassessment thereafter.  No reduction, increase, or opportunity for hearing shall be allowed after the assessment period.   The department may accept payment for full cost of care if any person liable for cost of care offers such payment in lieu of declaring financial circumstances and having an assessment determined by hearing.  Any assessment made pursuant to the authority of this subsection shall be subject to redetermination as provided by subsection (d) of this Code section if requested by the person liable for cost of care.   The department shall adopt and comply with procedures to inform adequately patients and other persons determined liable for the cost of care of their right to hearings and of their right to request reassessments.     History.  Ga. L. 1960, p. 1138,  6, 9, 10; Ga. L. 1979, p. 834,  3; Ga. L. 1985, p. 987,  2; Ga. L. 1992, p. 6,  37; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1445,  2.  
 The board shall establish standards for determining assessments when such assessments are less than the full cost of care. Such standards shall be based on the income, assets, and other circumstances of the persons liable for cost of care and shall include consideration of the number of dependents, as defined under Georgia income tax law and regulations; legal rights to payment under any insurance agreement, and other evidence of ability to pay; but no assessment shall be fixed or collected on the basis of any assets exempted by subsection (b) of Code Section 37-9-8. In determining assessments for persons liable for cost of care, the department shall develop procedures to ensure that no dependent, deduction, or personal exemption as defined by Georgia income tax law will be reflected more than once in the determination of assessments for any one patient. In establishing standards to determine such assessments, the board shall adopt criteria to be applied uniformly to all persons liable for cost of care, except that the board may adopt separate criteria for assessing monthly benefits or funds from any source to cover cost of care, support, and treatment provided to patients who are hospitalized for longer than three months and whose current needs, as defined by the Social Security Administration, are being met. However, the board shall ensure that the assessment made each month shall allow the recipients of such benefits or funds to retain at a minimum an amount as a personal allowance equal to the amount of the personal needs allowance allowed beneficiaries under the state medical assistance plan. Further, such standards will include special provisions for assessing developmental disabilities respite care allowed by law or duly adopted departmental regulations, where such admissions are legally limited to 56 days of care a year. To the extent practicable, such criteria shall ensure that persons having the same or substantially the same financial ability to pay cost of care shall have the same or substantially the same financial obligation to pay such cost of care.    History.  Ga. L. 1979, p. 834,  8; Ga. L. 1984, p. 968,  1; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1445,  3; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453,  3-5/HB 228; Ga. L. 2011, p. 337,  11/HB 324.  
  The department, through its duly authorized agents, shall have the authority to investigate or otherwise determine the income and assets of the patient or his estate and when necessary the income and assets of all other persons liable for the cost of care of such patient in order to determine ability to pay cost of care.  All persons liable for cost of care must provide signed consent forms necessary to authorize and conduct an investigation to determine the income and assets of such persons in order to determine ability to pay cost of care. The department shall further have the authority to contract with any person, firm, or corporation which it finds necessary to provide the information appropriate to the carrying out of its duties under this chapter.   The department shall require declarations to be filed by the patient or other persons liable for cost of care necessary to determine the assessments required by this chapter and shall prescribe the form and content thereof. All such declarations are to be regarded as essential to carrying out the public policy of this state; and any person who knowingly falsifies such declarations shall be charged as for false swearing. Failure by the patient or other persons liable for cost of care to (1) provide information required by such declarations or (2) provide signature of consent for the department to conduct an investigation authorized by subsection (a) of this Code section shall create a rebuttable presumption that the patient or other persons liable for cost of care consent to and agree with the assessment of the full cost of care, and the declaration shall contain on its face, conspicuously and in clear language, a statement to that effect.   The department, through its duly authorized agents, shall have access to Georgia income tax records for the purpose of obtaining necessary information to enforce this chapter. Upon the request of the department or its duly authorized agents, the state revenue commissioner and his agents or employees shall disclose such income tax information contained in any report or return required under Georgia law as may be necessary to enforce the provisions of this chapter.  Any tax information secured from the federal government by the Department of Revenue pursuant to express provisions of Section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code may not be disclosed by the Department of Revenue pursuant to this subsection. Any person receiving any tax information or tax returns under the authority of this subsection shall be considered either an officer or employee as those terms are used in subsection (a) of Code Section 48-7-60; and as such an officer or employee, any person receiving any tax information or returns under the authority of this subsection shall be subject to Code Section 48-7-61.   Any evidence, records, or other information obtained by the department or its duly authorized agents pursuant to the authority of this Code section shall be confidential and shall be used by the department or its agents only for the purposes of enforcing this chapter and shall not be released for any purpose other than a hearing provided for by this chapter.   The department shall develop procedures to ensure that persons with no other documentation or evidence may sign an affidavit attesting to their indigent financial status.     History.  Ga. L. 1960, p. 1138,  3; Ga. L. 1979, p. 834,  3; Ga. L. 1982, p. 3,  37; Ga. L. 1987, p. 191,  9; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1445,  4.    Editors notes.    Ga. L. 1987, p. 191,  10, not codified by the General Assembly, provided that this Act is applicable to taxable years ending on or after March 11, 1987, and that a taxpayer with a taxable year ending on or after January 1, 1987, and before March 11, 1987, may elect to have the provisions of that Act apply.   Ga. L. 1987, p. 191,  10, not codified by the General Assembly, also provided that tax, penalty, and interest liabilities and refund eligibility for prior taxable years shall not be affected by that Act.   Ga. L. 1987, p. 191,  10, not codified by the General Assembly, also provided that provisions of the federal Tax Reform Act of 1986 and of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 which as of January 1, 1987, were not yet effective become effective for purposes of Georgia taxation on the same dates as they become effective for federal purposes.    U.S. Code.    Section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code, referred to in subsection (c), is codified as 26 U.S.C.  6103 .    Law reviews.    For comment advocating legislative determination of parental liability for costs of institutional custody of child involuntarily committed to a mental health facility in response to criminal behavior in light of Treglown v. Department of Health & Social Servs., 38 Wis. 2d 317, 156 N.W.2d 363 (1968), see 19 Mercer L. Rev. 457 (1968).  
  In addition to the use of income for determining assessments provided for in this chapter and for the payment thereof, any other assets of a person liable for cost of care, except as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section, shall be considered in determining an assessment and shall be liable to be assessed for the payment thereof. Such assets shall include any tangible or intangible property or any combination thereof and shall also include the net proceeds derived from the disposition of any such property including any disposition of any such property which took place 90 days or less prior to the date services were first rendered to the patient by a hospital. When the income of a person liable for cost of care is sufficient to determine that an assessment should be made for the total cost of care, it shall not be necessary for the department to investigate and determine the other assets of such person; but such investigation and determination may be made by the department if necessary to collect the assessment from the person liable for cost of care.   The following assets of a person liable for cost of care shall be exempt from subsection (a) of this Code section:   Real property which qualifies for a homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation; and   Any other real property which constitutes the principal residence of the person liable for cost of care but which does not qualify for a homestead exemption under paragraph (1) of this subsection.     Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Code section, as of January 1, 1993, following six months of continuous inpatient hospitalization, the department is expressly authorized to levy an assessment for the full cost of care against the assets of all patients having assets accumulated from government benefit payments in excess of amounts allowed by the eligibility resource limit for institutionalized residents established by Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act of 1935, as amended, and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, until said assets are reduced to a level which would establish resource eligibility under such program for the patient; provided, however, that the assets listed in subsection (b) of this Code section shall be exempt from such assessment if said assets would also be an excluded resource under eligibility criteria of Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act. Following April 13, 1992, the department shall provide notice regarding the provisions of this subsection to patients and family members or other appropriate persons who may be affected by the provisions of this subsection.   Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to supersede the provisions of Chapter 12 of Title 53, The Revised Georgia Trust Code of 2010.     History.  Ga. L. 1979, p. 834,  7; Ga. L. 1983, p. 3,  58; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1445,  5; Ga. L. 2010, p. 579,  16/SB 131.    Code Commission notes.    Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 1992, April 13, 1992 was substituted for the effective date of this Code section in the last sentence of subsection (c).  
 Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, the department shall not be required to expend public funds for the purpose of providing support, care, and treatment covered under this chapter to any patient until such patient has exhausted his or her eligibility and receipt of benefits under all other existing or future private, public, local, state, or federal programs or plans. Before the department expends public funds for a patients cost of care, the department may assess and recover the cost of a patients care from the patient or other persons liable for such patients cost of care if such patient is eligible for benefits under any other program or plan. In the event the patient is covered by an insurance contract or any other plan or benefit of any nature providing for payment of hospitalization, medical expenses, and other health care services or any combination thereof, such patient or other person liable for the cost of care of such patient shall pay or cause to have paid from such insurance, plan, or benefit without deduction, exemptions, or credits, the full cost of care of the patient, or that portion thereof covered by such insurance, plan, or benefit. The assessment for cost of care of the patient made by the department pursuant to Code Section 37-9-5 shall be for the total amount payable by such insurance, plan, or benefit up to the total cost of care or for that portion of cost of care payable by such insurance, plan, or benefit; and if the proceeds from such insurance, plan, or benefit are less than the total cost of care, such assessment shall include an assessment based on the remaining balance, except where full payment of the balance or a portion thereof is required by a health insurance program or other plan or benefit, in which case the balance or at least the required portion thereof will be the assessment. Further, the department shall comply with all federally funded health and medical insurance programs which require established amounts payable by beneficiaries and is authorized to accept amounts payable toward cost of care under any insurance program, plan, or benefit if paid according to the provisions of such programs, plans, or benefits even though the amounts payable may exceed cost of care amounts as provided by this chapter. The department shall develop procedures to apply the provisions of this chapter, specifically Code Section 37-9-5, to any amounts which remain payable by the patient or beneficiaries under a federally funded health and medical insurance program, provided that the application of any such procedures does not invalidate payment of benefits under the program. For the purpose of carrying out this Code section, the department is authorized to accept assignment of benefits payable under such insurance, plans, or benefits; but the department shall not require the assignment of such benefits as a condition precedent to the admission of a patient to a hospital or as a condition precedent to providing services for such patient. In order to collect maximum benefits payable toward cost of care, the department is authorized to contract with any insurance program, plan, or benefit to become a participating member hospital if payments are not made or are made at a lesser than full coverage amount to nonparticipating members. Moreover, the department or its designated agents will have subrogation rights to the recovery of a patients cost of care that the patient or other person liable for the patients cost of care may have against any person, estate, organization, entity, or plan. Further, if any patient or other person liable for the cost of a patients care receives benefits or funds in settlement, judgment, or otherwise for any health care, medical expenses, or hospitalization or other care directly related to services and care provided by the department to a patient, the patient or other person liable for cost of care will pay or cause to have paid the full cost of care or that portion thereof recovered which is directly related to the care provided by the department. This right of subrogation is cumulative and in addition to any other remedy and this right shall be available for any enforcement or collection process which is contemplated under other provisions of this chapter.    History.  Ga. L. 1979, p. 834,  6; Ga. L. 1984, p. 968,  2; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1445,  6.    Law reviews.    For comment advocating legislative determination of parental liability for costs of institutional custody of child involuntarily committed to a mental health facility in response to criminal behavior in light of Treglown v. Department of Health & Social Servs., 38 Wis. 2d 317, 156 N.W.2d 363 (1968), see 19 Mercer L. Rev. 457 (1968).