---
title: O.C.G.A. § 29-2-9. Definitions.
collection: code
id: 29-2-9
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 29-2-9 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/29-2-9
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/29-2-9.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/29-2-9/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t27-t30-(v22)-2018-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=f493d811_0#page=433
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: GUARDIAN AND WARD / GUARDIANS OF MINORS / MINORS / STANDBY GUARDIANS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 29-2-9. Definitions.

As used in this part, the term:

(1) ‘‘Designating individual’’ means a parent or guardian who appoints a standby guardian. A designating individual may only be:

(A) A parent of a minor, provided that he or she has physical custody of the minor and his or her parental rights have not terminated; and provided, further, that the other parent of the minor is deceased, has had his or her parental rights terminated, cannot be found after a diligent search has been made, or has consented to the designation of and service by the standby guardian; or

(B) A guardian of the minor who is duly appointed and serving pursuant to court order.

(2) ‘‘Health care professional’’ means a person licensed to practice medicine under Chapter 34 of Title 43 or a person licensed as a registered professional nurse under Chapter 26 of Title 43 and authorized by the Georgia Board of Nursing to practice as a nurse practitioner.

(3) ‘‘Health determination’’ means the dated, written determination by a health care professional that a designating individual is unable to care for a minor due to the designating individual’s physical or mental condition or health including a condition created by medical treatment.

(4) ‘‘Standby guardian’’ means an adult who is named by a designating individual to serve as standby guardian of the minor.

## History

Code 1981, § 29-2-9, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 161, § 1.