---
title: O.C.G.A. § 31-8-51. Definitions.
collection: code
id: 31-8-51
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 31-8-51 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/31-8-51
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/31-8-51.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/31-8-51/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=515
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 Session of the General Assembly of Georgia
heading_path: HEALTH / CARE AND PROTECTION OF INDIGENT AND ELDERLY PATIENTS / LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM
---

# O.C.G.A. § 31-8-51. Definitions.

As used in this article, the term:

(1) “Community ombudsman” means a person certified as a community ombudsman pursuant to Code Section 31-8-52.

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

(2) “Long-term care facility” means any skilled nursing home, intermediate care home, private home care provider, assisted living community, or personal care home now or hereafter subject to regulation and licensure by the Department of Community Health.

(3) “Resident” means any person who is receiving treatment or care in any long-term care facility who seeks admission to such facility or who has been discharged or transferred from such facility.

(4) “State ombudsman” means the state ombudsman established under Code Section 31-8-52.

## History

Code 1933, § 88-1901a, enacted by Ga. L. 1979, p. 1240, § 1; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453, § 2-16/HB 228; Ga. L. 2011, p. 227, § 18/SB 178; Ga. L. 2014, p. 477, § 1/SB 207.

## Code Commission Notes

Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 2009, “Department of Community Health” was substituted for “department” in paragraph (2).