---
title: O.C.G.A. § 37-7-6. Apprehension by peace officer of patient who leaves facility without permission.
collection: code
id: 37-7-6
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 37-7-6 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/37-7-6
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/37-7-6.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/37-7-6/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t37-t39-(v28)-2021-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=c6b9c518_0#page=282
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/37-7.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/37-7-5.md
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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 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: MENTAL HEALTH / HOSPITALIZATION AND TREATMENT OF ALCOHOLICS, DRUG DEPENDENT INDIVIDUALS, AND DRUG ABUSERS / GENERAL PROVISIONS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 37-7-6. Apprehension by peace officer of patient who leaves facility without permission.

If, during the period of involuntary hospitalization pursuant to any valid physician’s certificate, court order, or order by the hearing examiner authorized by this chapter, a patient escapes or otherwise leaves a facility without permission, the facility may advise any peace officer that the patient has escaped or otherwise left the facility without permission; and the peace officer shall be authorized to take such patient into custody and return him to such facility.

## History

Code 1933, § 88-407.9, enacted by Ga. L. 1979, p. 744, § 11.