---
title: O.C.G.A. § 37-13-20. Definitions.
collection: code
id: 37-13-20
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 37-13-20 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/37-13-20
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/37-13-20.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/37-13-20/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=155
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/37-13.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/37-13-4.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/code/37-13-21.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: Effective January 1, 2026.
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: MENTAL HEALTH / COMMUNITY LIVING ARRANGEMENTS / ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION WITHIN COMMUNITY LIVING ARRANGEMENT
---

# O.C.G.A. § 37-13-20. Definitions.

As used in this article, the term:

(1) “Abuse” means any intentional or grossly negligent act or series of acts or intentional or grossly negligent omission to act which causes injury to a resident, including, but not limited to, assault or battery, failure to provide treatment or care, or sexual harassment of a resident.

(2) “Community living arrangement” means any group home licensed by the department pursuant to Article 1 of this chapter.

(3) “Exploitation” means the illegal or improper use of a resident or a resident’s resources through undue influence, coercion, harassment, duress, deception, false representation, false pretenses, or other similar means for one’s own or another’s profit or advantage.

(4) “Resident” means any person receiving treatment or care in a community living arrangement.

## History

Code 1981, § 37-13-20, enacted by Ga. L. 2025, p. 177, § 4-1/HB 584, effective January 1, 2026.