---
title: O.C.G.A. § 35-2-160. Definitions.
collection: code
id: 35-2-160
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 35-2-160 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/35-2-160
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/35-2-160.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/35-2-160/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t35-t36-ch1-59-(v27)-2025-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=66569db4_0#page=96
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: LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND AGENCIES / DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY / OFFICE OF PUBLIC SAFETY SUPPORT
---

# O.C.G.A. § 35-2-160. Definitions.

As used in this article, the term:

(1) “Critical incident support services” means interventions designed to provide compassionate or coping support in the event of involvement in, being a witness to, or being otherwise affected by a traumatic event, including, but not limited to, any series of events that render a traumatic effect.

(2) “Peer counselor” shall have the same meaning as provided for in Code Section 24-5-510.

(3) “Public entity” means any agency or department of this state or a political subdivision or municipality of this state or an authority of this state.

(4) “Public safety officer” means a peace officer, correctional officer, emergency health worker, firefighter, highway emergency response operator, jail officer, juvenile correctional officer, probation officer, or emergency services dispatcher.

(5) “Support coordinator” means the coordinator of the Office of Public Safety Support within the department.

## History

Code 1981, § 35-2-160, enacted by Ga. L. 2018, p. 716, § 2/HB 703; Ga. L. 2020, p. 671, § 2/HB 838; Ga. L. 2025, p. 1029, § 35(42)(N)/SB 153, effective July 1, 2025.

## Amendments

The 2025 amendment, effective July 1, 2025, part of an Act to revise, modernize, and correct the Code, substituted “department” for “Department of Public Safety” in paragraph (5).