---
title: O.C.G.A. § 26-5-44. License requirement; validity.
collection: code
id: 26-5-44
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 26-5-44 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/26-5-44
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/26-5-44.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/26-5-44/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t25-t26-(v21)-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=82f520c4_0#page=93
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.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/26-5.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/26-5-43.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/code/26-5-45.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: Effective January 1, 2026.
in_force: true
other_versions:
  - version: Effective until January 1, 2026.
    in_force: false
    md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/26-5-44.md?version=until+January+1%2C+2026
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: FOOD, DRUGS, AND COSMETICS / DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS / NARCOTIC TREATMENT PROGRAMS ENFORCEMENT
extraction_warnings:
  - bound_version_dropped:None
---

# O.C.G.A. § 26-5-44. License requirement; validity.

No governing body shall operate a narcotic treatment program without having a valid license or provisional license issued pursuant to this article. Any license or provisional license issued to a narcotic treatment program by the Department of Community Health on December 31, 2025, shall be valid until revoked or renewed by the department, surrendered by the licensee, or otherwise terminated.

## History

Code 1981, § 26-5-44, enacted by Ga. L. 2017, p. 307, § 1/SB 88; Ga. L. 2025, p. 177, § 1-8/HB 584, effective January 1, 2026.

## Amendments

The 2025 amendment, effective January 1, 2026, added the second sentence.

## Delayed Effective Date

Code Section 26-5-44 is set out twice in this Code. This version is effective January 1, 2026. For version effective until January 1, 2026, see the preceding version.