Title 31 — Title 31
0 chapters · 651 sections in this title.
O.C.G.A. § 31-1-1 Definitions
0.3K chars
Except as specifically provided otherwise, as used in this title, the term: (1) ‘‘Board’’ means the Board of Public Health. (2) ‘‘Commissioner’’ means the commissioner of public health. 5 31-1-2 (3) ‘‘Department’’ means the Department of Public Health. and was thus enacted by Ga.…
O.C.G.A. § 31-1-10 State health officer; duties
1.6K chars
(a) The position of state health officer is created. The Governor may appoint the commissioner of public health to serve simultaneously as the state health officer or may appoint another individual to serve as state health officer. Such officer shall serve at the pleasure of the …
O.C.G.A. § 31-1-13 Hemophilia Advisory Board
5.0K chars
(a) The commissioner of public health in conjunction with the commissioner of community health shall establish an independent advisory board known as the Hemophilia Advisory Board. (b)(1) The following persons shall serve as nonvoting members of the Hemophilia Advisory Board: (A)…
O.C.G.A. § 31-1-17 Notification of dense breast tissue
1.7K chars
(a) As used in this Code section, the term: (1) ‘‘Dense breast tissue’’ means heterogeneously or extremely dense breast tissue based on nationally recognized guidelines or systems for breast imaging reporting of mammography including, but not limited to, the Breast Imaging Report…
O.C.G.A. § 31-1-23 Blindness education, screening, and treatment program
1.2K chars
(a)(1) Subject to availability of funds voluntarily donated and transmitted to the department for such purposes pursuant to subsection (e) of Code Section 40-5-25, the department shall develop a blindness education, screening, and treatment program to provide blindness prevention…
O.C.G.A. § 31-1-3 Detection of hearing impairments in infants; evaluations
0.9K chars
(a) It shall be the public policy of this state that newborn infants in certain high-risk categories be evaluated for the detection of hearing impairments in order to prevent many of the consequences of these disorders. (b) The department shall develop guidelines for evaluation a…
O.C.G.A. § 31-1-3.2 Hearing screenings for newborns
4.2K chars
(a) The General Assembly finds, determines, and declares: (1) That hearing loss occurs in newborn infants more frequently than any other health condition for which newborn infant screening is required; (2) That 80 percent of the language ability of a child is established by the t…
O.C.G.A. § 31-1-4 Penalties for false representation, impersonation
0.6K chars
(a) Any person who shall make, utter, execute, or submit to the department or to any county board of health any oral or written representation, knowing the same to be false, for the purpose of obtaining anything of value, including any service, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. (…
O.C.G.A. § 31-1-5 Compensation of employees for damage to wearing apparel caused by patients
0.8K chars
(a) As used in this Code section, the term ‘‘wearing apparel’’ includes eyeglasses, hearing aids, clothing, and similar items worn on the person of the employee. (b) When action by a patient in one of the institutions operated by the department results in damage to an item of wea…
O.C.G.A. § 31-1-6 Reuse of heart pacemakers
1.0K chars
(a) As used in this Code section, the term: (1) ‘‘Heart pacemaker’’ means any electrical device which stimulates the heart muscle so that it contracts at a certain or regular rate. (2) ‘‘Medically acceptable’’ means conforming to prevailing medical standards of cleanliness and ma…
O.C.G.A. § 31-1-7 Marking of dentures and other removable dental prostheses for identification
1.4K chars
(a) Every complete upper and lower denture and removable permanent partial denture fabricated by a dentist licensed in Georgia shall be marked with the name or social security number of the patient for whom it is intended. The marking shall be done during fabrication and shall be…
O.C.G.A. § 31-1-8 Notice of proposed special facility
1.7K chars
(a) For the purposes of this Code section, the term ‘‘special facility’’ means any of the following facilities: (1) A facility utilized for the diagnosis, care, treatment, or hospitalization of persons who are alcoholics, drug dependent individuals, or drug users as defined in pa…
O.C.G.A. § 31-1-9 Breast-feeding of baby
0.3K chars
The breast-feeding of a baby is an important and basic act of nurture which should be encouraged in the interests of maternal and child health. A mother may breast-feed her baby in any location where the mother and baby are otherwise authorized to be. History. — Code 1981, § 31-1…
O.C.G.A. § 31-2-1 Legislative intent; grant of authority
2.8K chars
Given the growing concern and complexities of health issues in this state, it is the intent of the General Assembly to create a Department of Community Health dedicated to health issues. Illustrating, without limiting, the foregoing grant of authority, the department is empowered…
O.C.G.A. § 31-2-13 Inspection warrant
4.3K chars
(a) As used in this Code section, the term ‘‘commissioner’’ means the commissioner of community health or his or her designee. (b) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to require an inspection warrant when a warrantless inspection is authorized by law or pursuant to a …
O.C.G.A. § 31-2-14 Nurse aide registry; complaint filing; public access
12.6K chars
(a) The nurse aide registry established and maintained by the department as required by 42 C.F.R. Section 483.156 shall include, in addition to nurse aides who work in licensed facilities, nurse aides who provide services in this state in temporary or permanent private residences…
O.C.G.A. § 31-2-17 Redesignated
0.2K chars
Editor’s notes. — Ga. L. 2011, p. 705, § 3-2/HB 214, effective July 1, 2011, re- designated former Code Section 31-2-17 as present Code Section 31-2A-13. 31-2-17.1. Redesignated.
O.C.G.A. § 31-2-17.1 Redesignated
0.2K chars
Editor’s notes. — Ga. L. 2011, p. 705, § 3-2/HB 214, effective July 1, 2011, re- designated former Code Section 31-2-17.1 as present Code Section 31-2A-14. 31-2-18. Redesignated.
O.C.G.A. § 31-2-18 Redesignated
0.4K chars
31-2-19. Advisory Council for Public Health; members; meetings [Repealed]. 31-2-20. Public Health Commission; members; purpose; authority [Repealed]. Editor’s notes. — Ga. L. 2009, p. 453, § 1-1/HB 228, effective July 1, 2009, redesignated former Chapter 5A of Title 31 as present…
O.C.G.A. § 31-2-19 Advisory Council for Public Health; members; meetings
0.2K chars
Repealed by Ga. L. 2011, p. 705, § 4-5/HB 214, effective July 1, 2011. Editor’s notes. — This Code section was based on Code 1981, § 31-2-19, enacted by Ga. L. 2009, p. 453, § 1-1/HB 228.
O.C.G.A. § 31-2-2 Definitions
3.2K chars
As used in this chapter, the term: (1) ‘‘Board’’ means the Board of Community Health established under Code Section 31-2-3. (2) ‘‘Commissioner’’ means the commissioner of community health established under Code Section 31-2-6. (3) ‘‘Department’’ means the Department of Community …
O.C.G.A. § 31-2-20 Public Health Commission; members; purpose; authority
1.0K chars
Repealed by Ga. L. 2009, p. 453, § 1-1/HB 228, effective December 31, 2010. Editor’s notes. — This Code section was based on Code 1981, § 31-2-20, en- acted by Ga. L. 2009, p. 453, § 1-1/HB 228. 64 T.31, C.2A DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH T.31, C.2A CHAPTER 2A DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC …
O.C.G.A. § 31-2-8 Actions against certain applicants or licensees
9.9K chars
(a) This Code section shall be applicable to any agency, center, facility, institution, community living arrangement, drug abuse treatment and education program, or entity subject to regulation by the department under Chapters 7, 13, 22, 23, and 44 of this title; Chapter 5 of Tit…
O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-10 Venue of actions against department or board
0.6K chars
Actions at law and in equity against the department, the board, or any of its members predicated upon omissions or acts done in their official capacity or under color thereof shall be brought in the appropriate county; provided, however, that nothing in this Code section shall be…
O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-11 Standards for sewage management systems
6.1K chars
(a) As used in this Code section, the term: (1) ‘‘Chamber system’’ means a system of chambers with each chamber being a molded polyolefin plastic, arch shaped, hollow structure with an exposed bottom area and solid top and louvered sidewall for infiltration of effluent into adjoi…
O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-16 Maternal Mortality Review Committee established
6.0K chars
(a) The General Assembly finds that: (1) Georgia currently ranks fiftieth in maternal deaths in the United States; (2) Maternal deaths are a serious public health concern and have a tremendous family and societal impact; (3) Maternal deaths are significantly underestimated and in…
O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-30 Legislative authority
0.9K chars
Reserved. Repealed by Ga. L. 2017, p. 764, § 2-1/SB 193, effective July 1, 2017. Editor’s notes. — This Code section was based on Ga. L. 2016, p. 214, § 2/SB 308. Ga. L. 2017, p. 764, § 1-1/SB 193, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: ‘‘The General Assembly finds …
O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-31 Definitions
4.9K chars
As used in this article, the term: (1) ‘‘Attending physician’’ means the physician who has primary responsibility at the time of reference for the treatment and care of the client. (2) ‘‘Client’’ means a person seeking or receiving pregnancy support services. (3) ‘‘Contract manag…
O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-33 Administration and duties
1.9K chars
(a) The department shall oversee the program and is authorized to contract with a contract management agency to administer the program. (b) The contract management agency selected by the department shall meet the definition of a contract management agency as defined in paragraph …
O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-34 Services funded by program
1.3K chars
The services which shall be funded by the program include: (1) Medical care and information, including but not limited to pregnancy tests, sexually transmitted infection tests, other health screenings, ultrasound service, prenatal care, and birth classes and planning; (2) Nutriti…
O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-35 Grants
2.6K chars
(a) Grants shall be awarded annually on a competitive basis to direct client service providers who display competent experience in providing any of the services included in Code Section 31-2A-34 pursuant to guidelines and criteria established pursuant to this article. (b) The dep…
O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-36 Criteria for grant consideration
1.8K chars
(a) In order to be considered for a grant under this article, each direct client service provider shall: (1) Be a nonprofit organization incorporated in this state with a tax-exempt status pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; (2) Have a primary miss…
O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-37 Record maintenance and reporting
0.7K chars
Each direct client service provider shall maintain accurate records and report data to the agency annually on forms and in the manner required by the department. Reports shall include the number of clients who: (1) Utilized pregnancy support services; (2) Are pregnant; (3) Chose …
O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-38 Confidentiality
0.5K chars
Confidentiality of all data, files, and records of clients related to the services provided under this article shall be maintained by the department, contract management agency, and direct client service providers pursuant to federal and state laws related to privacy of medical r…
O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-39 Annual audit
0.4K chars
The agency shall conduct an annual audit of each direct client service provider by an independent certified public accountant within 120 days of the completion of its fiscal year verifying that it has complied with all requirements of this article and any other requirements of th…
O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-40 Reports to the General Assembly
0.9K chars
(a) The department shall annually report to the General Assembly on its use of trust funds appropriated to the department pursuant to this article. (b) The department shall also provide an annual report no later than September 30 of each year beginning September 30, 2017, which s…
O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-41 Acceptance of donations, contributions, and gifts
0.5K chars
The department is authorized to accept donations, contributions, and gifts and receive, hold, and use grants, devises, and bequests of real, personal, and mixed property on behalf of the state to enable the department to carry out the functions and purposes of this article. Histo…
O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-5 Office of Women’s Health; duties; reporting
2.2K chars
(a) There is created in the department the Office of Women’s Health. Attached to the office shall be an 11 member advisory council. The members of the advisory council shall be appointed by the Governor and shall be representative of major public and private agencies and organiza…
O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-50 Legislative findings
1.3K chars
The General Assembly finds and declares that: (1) Georgia ranks as the forty-ninth worst in the nation for the number of maternal deaths occurring during and one year after pregnancy; (2) Georgia ranks as the thirty-second worst in the nation for the number of infant deaths occur…
O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-51 Definitions
3.0K chars
As used in this article, the term: 99 31-2A-53 (1) ‘‘Designated facility’’ means a perinatal facility that has been inspected and approved by the department pursuant to this article as meeting its established criteria for a particular maternal or neonatal level of care. (2) ‘‘Per…
O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-54 Listing of designated facilities; self-assessment tool
1.2K chars
(a) On or before December 31, 2019, the department shall post and annually update a list of designated facilities on its website. (b) The department shall adopt or develop a self-assessment tool for use by perinatal facilities that includes separate, minimum requirements for neon…
O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-56 Advertisement prohibited unless designated by department
2.3K chars
31-2A-57. Regulatory authority. gencies Worse? Federal Versus State Control of Quarantine,’’ see 67 Emory L.J. 491 (2018). ARTICLE 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS Editor’s notes. — The existing provisions of Chapter 2A were designated as Article 1 of Chapter 2A by Ga. L. 2016, p. 214, § 1/S…
O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-57 Regulatory authority
0.3K chars
The department shall be authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the purposes of this article. History. — Code 1981, § 31-2A-57, enacted by Ga. L. 2018, p. 344, § 1/HB 909. 102 T.31, C.3 COUNTY BOARDS OF HEALTH T.31, C.3 CHAPTER 3 COUNTY BOARDS OF HEALTH Sec. 3…
O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-6 Rules and regulations
9.4K chars
(a) The department is authorized to adopt and promulgate rules and regulations to effect prevention, abatement, and correction of situations and conditions which, if not promptly checked, would militate against the health of the people of this state. Such rules and regulations sh…
O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-9 Studies and surveys of programs
0.4K chars
The department, from time to time, shall make or cause to be made studies and surveys to determine the quality, scope, and reach of its programs. History. — Code 1933, § 88-109, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499, § 1; Code 1981, § 31-2-3; Code 1981, § 31-2-8, as redesignated by Ga. …
O.C.G.A. § 31-3-1 Creation
0.2K chars
There is established a county board of health in each and every county of this state. History. — Ga. L. 1914, p. 124, § 2; Code 1933, § 88-201; Ga. L. 1941, p. 317, § 1; Ga. L. 1964, p. 499, § 1.
O.C.G.A. § 31-3-10 Legal representation
0.2K chars
The county board of health may require the legal services of the county attorney or, its budget permitting, may employ other counsel to assist in performing its duties. History. — Code 1933, § 88-210, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499, § 1.
O.C.G.A. § 31-3-11 Appointments of director and staff; supervision
2.0K chars
(a) The county board of health shall appoint as its chief executive officer a director who shall be a physician licensed to practice medicine 118 31-3-11 under Chapter 34 of Title 43 and who otherwise meets the requirements of the rules of the State Personnel Board. The director,…
O.C.G.A. § 31-3-12 Duties of director
1.1K chars
Subject to the policies and directives of the county board of health and the policies and directives of the multiple county districts served, the director shall perform the functions and exercise the powers set forth in this chapter except the power to adopt bylaws and to adopt r…
O.C.G.A. § 31-3-14 Financing of expenses
1.2K chars
The county board of health, at a regular or called meeting, at a time appropriate to the fiscal operation of the county, shall determine and fix the amount of money needed for the fiscal or calendar year, as the case may be, in accordance with a budget itemizing anticipated incom…