---
title: O.C.G.A. § 19-3-40. Blood test for sickle cell disease; information to be provided.
collection: code
id: 19-3-40
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 19-3-40 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/19-3-40
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/19-3-40.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/19-3-40/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t18-t19-(v16)-2022-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=b0848ebd_0#page=347
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: DOMESTIC RELATIONS / MARRIAGE GENERALLY / LICENSE AND CEREMONY
---

# O.C.G.A. § 19-3-40. Blood test for sickle cell disease; information to be provided.

(a) As used in this Code section, the term “blood test for sickle cell disease” means a blood test for sickle cell anemia, sickle cell trait, and other detectable abnormal hemoglobin.

(b) The Department of Public Health shall prepare information for public dissemination on the department’s website describing the importance of obtaining a blood test for sickle cell disease and explaining the causes and effects of such disease. Such information shall recommend that each applicant applying for a marriage license obtain a blood test for sickle cell disease prior to obtaining a marriage license. Such information may also be provided as a brochure or other document. The department shall make such information available in electronic format to the probate courts of this state which shall disseminate such information to all persons applying for marriage licenses.

## History

Code 1981, § 19-3-40, enacted by Ga. L. 2009, p. 314, § 1/HB 184; Ga. L. 2011, p. 705, § 6-3/HB 214.

## Editor's Notes

Former Code Section 19-3-40 was repealed by Ga. L. 2003, p. 895, § 1, effective July 1, 2003. The former Code section pertained to blood tests, license refused to person infected with communicable syphilis, and treatment, and was based on Ga. L. 1949, p. 1054, §§ 1-6, 9; Ga. L. 1951, p. 674, § 1; Ga. L. 1952, p. 217, § 1; Ga. L. 1958, p. 685, § 1; Ga. L. 1972, p. 782, § 1; Ga. L. 1977, p. 737, §§ 1-3; Ga. L. 1978, p. 936, § 1; Ga. L. 1986, p. 982, § 7.

## Law Reviews

For article on the 2011 amendment of this Code section, see 28 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 147 (2011).