O.C.G.A. § 37-7-80 (2019)

(e) No entity shall operate as a crisis stabilization unit without having a valid certificate issued pursuant to this Code section.

(f ) Application for a certificate to operate a crisis stabilization unit shall be submitted to the department in the manner prescribed by the department’s policies and procedures.

(g) The department shall issue a certificate to an applicant who meets all the standards and requirements as set forth in the department’s policies and procedures for the certification of crisis stabilization units. The certificate shall be nontransferable for a change of location or governing body.

(h) Each certified crisis stabilization unit shall permit authorized department representatives to enter upon and inspect any and all premises for which a certificate has been granted or applied for.

(i) The department may deny any application for certification which does not meet all the standards and requirements set forth in the department’s policies and procedures for the certification of crisis stabilization units and may suspend or revoke a certification which has been issued if an applicant or a certified crisis stabilization unit violates any such policies and procedures; provided, however, that before any order is entered denying a certification application or suspending or revoking a certification previously granted, the applicant or certificate holder, as the case may be, shall be afforded an opportunity for a hearing as provided for in Chapter 13 of Title 50, the ‘‘Georgia Administrative Procedure Act.’’

GOVERNING & REG. OF MENTAL HEALTH

(j) Any program certified as a crisis stabilization unit pursuant to this Code section shall be exempt from the requirements to obtain a certificate of need pursuant to Article 3 of Chapter 6 of Title 31.

(k) It is the intent of the General Assembly that this Code section provide a public benefit and comply with all safety net obligations in this title and that patients without private health care coverage receive priority consideration for crisis stabilization unit placement.