---
title: O.C.G.A. § 37-12-9. Role of community service boards following response.
collection: code
id: 37-12-9
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 37-12-9 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/37-12-9
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/37-12-9.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/37-12-9/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t37-t39-(v28)-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=6f93000f_0#page=149
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/37-12.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/37-12-8.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/code/37-12-10.md
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: MENTAL HEALTH / GEORGIA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND PEACE OFFICER CO-RESPONDER PROGRAMS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 37-12-9. Role of community service boards following response.

When a co-responder team responds to a behavioral health crisis, the community service board of the service area where the crisis occurred shall contact the individual within two business days following the crisis, regardless of whether that individual was incarcerated. If the individual resides in a different community service board area, the case shall be transferred to the appropriate community service board. The community service board handling the case shall work to identify the types of services needed to support the individual’s stability and to locate affordable sources for those services, including housing and job placement. If the individual was incarcerated, the community service board may make recommendations for inclusion in a jail release plan. Following the behavioral health crisis, the community service board shall provide voluntary outpatient therapy as needed.

## History

Code 1981, § 37-12-9, enacted by Ga. L. 2022, p. 722, § 5/SB 403.