Coordination of training programs for the developmentally disabled

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. 37-4-5. Validity of hospitalization orders entered before September 1, 1978; establishment of regulations authorizing continued care for clients receiving services pursuant to orders entered before September 1, 1978; validity of hospitalization orders entered before July 1, 2011. (a) 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 Such prior orders of hospitalization entered by the courts, unless superseded at an earlier date by an order under this chapter, or unless such prior orders expire under their own terms at an 214 37-4-5 REHAB. OF DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED 37-4-7 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. (b) 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. 37-4-6. Immunity from liability for actions taken in good faith compliance with admission and discharge provisions of chapter. 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.