---
title: O.C.G.A. § 37-13-21. Reporting of abuse; mandatory reporters; requirements for reporting.
collection: code
id: 37-13-21
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 37-13-21 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/37-13-21
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/37-13-21.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/37-13-21/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/37-13-20.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/code/37-13-22.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. § 37-13-21. Reporting of abuse; mandatory reporters; requirements for reporting.

(a) Any of the following persons who have reasonable cause to believe that a resident or former resident has been abused or exploited while residing in a community living arrangement shall immediately make a report as described in subsection (d) of this Code section by telephone or in person to the department and to the appropriate law enforcement agency or prosecuting attorney:

(1) Administrators, managers, or other employees of a community living arrangement;

(2) Physical therapists;

(3) Occupational therapists;

(4) Coroners;

(5) Medical examiners;

(6) Emergency medical services personnel, as such individuals are defined in Code Section 31-11-49;

(7) Any person who is certified as an emergency medical technician, cardiac technician, paramedic, or first responder pursuant to Chapter 11 of Title 31;

(8) Employees of a public or private agency engaged in professional health related services to residents; and

(9) Clergy members.

(b) Persons required to make a report pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section shall also make a written report to the department within 24 hours after making the initial report.

(c) Any other person who has knowledge that a resident or former resident has been abused or exploited while residing in a community living arrangement may report or cause a report to be made to the department or the appropriate law enforcement agency.

(d) An initial report of suspected abuse or exploitation shall include the following:

(1) The name and address of the person making the report, unless such person is not required to make a report pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section;

(2) The name and address of the resident or former resident for which abuse or exploitation is suspected;

(3) The name and address of the community living arrangement;

(4) The name and extent of any known injuries or the condition relating to, or resulting from, the suspected abuse or exploitation;

(5) The suspected cause of the abuse or exploitation; and

(6) Any other information which the reporter reasonably believes might be helpful in determining the cause of the resident’s or former resident’s injuries or condition and in determining the identity of the person or persons responsible for the suspected abuse or exploitation.

(e) The department shall maintain accurate records which shall include all reports of suspected abuse or exploitation, the results of all investigations and administrative or judicial proceedings, and a summary of actions taken to assist the resident or former resident.

(f) Any suspected abuse or exploitation which is required to be reported by any person pursuant to this Code section shall be reported notwithstanding that the reasonable cause to believe such abuse or exploitation has occurred or is occurring is based in whole or in part upon any communication to that person which is otherwise made privileged or confidential by law; provided, however, that a member of the clergy shall not be required to report such matters confided to him or her solely within the context of confession or other similar communication required to be kept confidential under church doctrine or practice. When a clergy member receives information about abuse or exploitation from any other source, such clergy member shall comply with the reporting requirements of this Code section, even though the clergy member may have also received a report of such matters from the confession of the perpetrator.

## History

Code 1981, § 37-13-21, enacted by Ga. L. 2025, p. 177, § 4-1/HB 584, effective January 1, 2026.