---
title: O.C.G.A. § 31-36B-2. Definitions.
collection: code
id: 31-36B-2
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 31-36B-2 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/31-36B-2
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/31-36B-2.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/31-36B-2/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t31-(v23)-2025-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=da7ded69_0#page=992
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 Session of the General Assembly of Georgia
heading_path: HEALTH / GEORGIA CAREGIVERS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 31-36B-2. Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the term:

(1) “Aftercare” means any assistance provided by a lay caregiver to an individual under this chapter after the patient’s discharge from a hospital, including tasks that are limited to the patient’s condition at the time of discharge and do not require a licensed professional.

(2) “Discharge” means a patient’s exit or release from a hospital to the patient’s residence after any inpatient stay.

(3) “Hospital” means any institution classified and having a permit as a hospital from the Department of Community Health pursuant to this title and such department’s rules and regulations.

(4) “Lay caregiver” means any individual 18 years of age or older, including next of kin, who is identified by the patient as someone who will provide aftercare assistance to the patient in the event the patient is discharged from the hospital.

(5) “Residence” means a dwelling considered by a patient to be his or her home, not including an institution as defined in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (4) of Code Section 31-7-1.

## History

Code 1981, § 31-36B-2, enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 584, § 1/HB 1304.