---
title: O.C.G.A. § 19-9-121. Definitions.
collection: code
id: 19-9-121
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 19-9-121 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/19-9-121
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/19-9-121.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/19-9-121/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=1073
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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index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
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 / CHILD CUSTODY PROCEEDINGS / POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR THE CARE OF A CHILD
---

# O.C.G.A. § 19-9-121. Definitions.

As used in this article, the term:

(1) “Child” means an unemancipated individual who is under 18 years of age.

(2) “Child-placing agency” means an agency licensed as such pursuant to Chapter 5 of Title 49.

(3) “Criminal background check” means the results of an unrestricted search of the criminal records maintained by the Georgia Crime Information Center and the Federal Bureau of Investigation pursuant to Code Section 35-3-34.

(4) “Department” means the Department of Human Services.

(5) “Nonprofit entity or faith based organization” means a business that provides child or family services and that is in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service, if applicable.

(6) “Parent” shall have the same meaning as provided in Code Section 19-3-37.

## History

Code 1981, § 19-9-121, enacted by Ga. L. 2018, p. 19, § 2-2/HB 159.