Georgia Code
Part 1 - General Provisions
§ 37-3-149. Establishment of Procedures for Receiving Patients’ and Staff Complaints; Making of Final Decisions; Establishment of Rules and Regulations Implementing Procedures; Complaint Procedures as Alternative to Legal Remedies

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.

Structure Georgia Code

Georgia Code

Title 37 - Mental Health

Chapter 3 - Examination, Treatment, etc., for Mental Illness

Article 6 - Rights and Privileges of Patients, Their Representatives, etc., Generally

Part 1 - General Provisions

§ 37-3-140. Retention of Rights and Privileges by Patients Generally; Right to Due Process

§ 37-3-141. Patients’ Right to Legal Counsel

§ 37-3-142. Communication and Visitation Rights of Patients; Inspection, Restriction, and Censorship of Patient Correspondence; Establishment of Regulations Governing Visits and Use of Telephones

§ 37-3-143. Patients’ Rights in Regard to Personal Effects; Liability of Facility’s Employees and Staff Members for Loss of or Damage to Patients’ Personal Effects

§ 37-3-144. Patients’ Right to Vote

§ 37-3-145. Employment of Patients Outside Facilities

§ 37-3-146. Education of Children Undergoing Treatment in a Facility

§ 37-3-147. Representatives and Guardians Ad Litem; Notification Provisions; Duration and Scope of Guardianship Ad Litem

§ 37-3-148. Right of Patients or Representatives to Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus and for Judicial Protection of Rights and Privileges Granted by This Chapter

§ 37-3-149. Establishment of Procedures for Receiving Patients’ and Staff Complaints; Making of Final Decisions; Establishment of Rules and Regulations Implementing Procedures; Complaint Procedures as Alternative to Legal Remedies

§ 37-3-150. [Effective Until July 1, 2023. See note.] Right to Appeal Orders of Probate Court, Juvenile Court, or Hearing Examiner; Payment of Costs of Appeal; Right to Subsequent Appeal; Right to Legal Counsel on Appeal

§ 37-3-150. [Effective July 1, 2023. See note.] Right to Appeal Orders of Probate Court, Juvenile Court, or Hearing Examiner; Payment of Costs of Appeal; Right to Subsequent Appeal; Right to Legal Counsel on Appeal