Rule 111-8-2-.03. Definitions

In these rules, unless the context requires otherwise, the words, phrases and symbols set forth herein shall mean the following:

1. (1) "Adult residential mental health program" or "ARMHP" or "program" means a subacute residential alternative service of four or more residential beds authorized to provide psychiatric services for mentally ill persons 18 years of age or older that operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week to provide intensive short-term noninstitutional treatment to clients who are temporarily in need of a 24-hour-per-day supportive therapeutic setting for prevention of or transition from or after acute psychiatric hospitalization. Such term shall not include (a) crisis stabilization units, as defined in O.C.G.A. § 37-1-29; (b) community living arrangements, as defined by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities; (c) mental health programs conducted by accountability courts; (d) residential beds operated by a state or local public entity; or (e) hospitals licensed by the department unless the hospital is operating an adult residential mental health program that is not part of the hospital license.
2. (2) "Administrator" means the name of the person to whom is delegated the responsibility for the management of the program, including but not limited to, the carrying out of rules and policies adopted by the governing body.
3. (3) "Applicant" means any individual affiliated with the governing body submitting an application to operate a program.
4. (4) "Department" means the Georgia Department of Community Health.
5. (5) "Governing Body" means the partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, or person or group of persons who maintains and controls the program and who is legally responsible for its operation.
6. (6) "Client" means a person seeking and obtaining services at a program, unless otherwise specified.
7. (7) "License" or "permit" means the official permit issued by the department which authorizes the holder to operate a program.
8. (8) "Licensee" means the holder of a program license.
9. (9) "Mental health professional" means a psychiatrist, psychiatric or mental health nurse practitioner, or an individual who has obtained a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in a field of psychology or Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), a master's degree (M.S. or M.A.) in a mental-health related field such as psychology, counseling psychology, marriage or family therapy, or social work and is duly licensed to practice his or her profession in the State of Georgia.
10. (10) "Mentally ill person" means a person who has significant deficits in functioning affecting social and family relationships, work, self-care, educational goals, or legal involvements due to his or her primary diagnosis or assessment of a psychotic disorder, mood disorder, anxiety disorder, dissociative disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, adjustment disorder, personality disorder, or trauma and stress related disorder as listed in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) or the World Health Organization's International Classification of Diseases, in effect as of July 1, 2022 and as amended from time to time.
11. (11) "Physician" means an individual who is currently licensed to practice medicine in the State of Georgia. These rules shall not prohibit other licensed medical professionals, such as physician assistants or advanced practice registered nurses, from performing acts required of a licensed physician under these rules where such acts are allowed and performed pursuant to applicable state scope of practice laws and regulations.
12. (12) "Program" means the ARHMP as defined in these rules and regulations.
13. (13) "Staff" means any person who performs duties in the program on behalf of the program, including but not limited to employees, contractors, administrators, on-site managers, and owners and other governing body members.

Authority: O.C.G.A. §§ 37-3-202, 31-2-4, 31-2-7, 31-7-2.1.

History. Original Rule entitled "Definitions" adopted. F. Dec. 10, 2024; eff. Dec. 30, 2024.