Georgia Code
Chapter 17 - Control of Sexually Transmitted Disease
§ 31-17-3. Examination and Treatment by Health Authorities

The authorized agent or agents of the Department of Public Health and county boards of health are directed and empowered, when in their judgment it is necessary to protect the public health, to make examination of persons infected or suspected of being infected with a sexually transmitted disease; to require persons infected with a sexually transmitted disease to report for treatment to a physician licensed to practice medicine under Chapter 34 of Title 43 and to continue treatment until cured, or to submit to treatment provided at public expense; and to isolate persons infected or reasonably suspected of being infected with a sexually transmitted disease. Law enforcement authorities of the jurisdiction wherein any such person so infected or suspected of being infected is located shall offer such assistance, including restraint and arrest, as shall be necessary to assure examination and treatment in accordance with this chapter.
History. Ga. L. 1918, p. 275, § 3; Code 1933, § 88-503; Code 1933, § 88-1604, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499, § 1; Ga. L. 1996, p. 6, § 31; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453, § 1-4/HB 228; Ga. L. 2011, p. 705, § 6-3/HB 214; Ga. L. 2020, p. 55, § 8/SB 372; Ga. L. 2021, p. 922, § 31/HB 497.
The 2020 amendment, effective July 1, 2020, substituted “sexually transmitted” for “venereal” three times in the first sentence.
The 2021 amendment, effective May 10, 2021, part of an Act to revise, modernize, and correct the Code, substituted “with a sexually transmitted disease” for “with sexually transmitted disease” throughout this Code section.
Cross references.
Blood test recommendation for persons applying for marriage license, § 19-3-40 .
Law reviews.
For article on the 2011 amendment of this Code section, see 28 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 147 (2011).

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