Georgia § 31-1-10 - State health officer; duties.
Full text of Georgia Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 31-1-10 — State health officer; duties., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 31-1-10. State health officer; duties.
The position of state health officer is created. The Governor may appoint the commissioner of public health to serve simultaneously as the state health officer or may appoint another individual to serve as state health officer. Such officer shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. An individual appointed to serve as state health officer shall be licensed to practice medicine in this state. The state health officer shall: Perform such health emergency preparedness and response duties as assigned by the Governor; and Be authorized to issue a standing order prescribing an opioid antagonist, as such term is defined in Code Section 26-4-116.2 , on a state-wide basis under conditions that he or she determines to be in the best interest of this state. (Code 1981, § 31-1-10 , enacted by Ga. L. 2009, p. 453, § 1-3/HB 228; Ga. L. 2011, p. 705, § 3-6/HB 214; Ga. L. 2017, p. 22, § 5/SB 121; Ga. L. 2017, p. 319, § 3-2/HB 249.) The 2017 amendments. The first 2017 amendment, effective May 18, 2017, added the fourth sentence of subsection (a), and substituted the present provisions of subsection (b) for the former provisions, which read: "The state health officer shall perform such health emergency preparedness and response duties as assigned by the Governor." The second 2017 amendment, effective July 1, 2017, made identical changes. Editor's notes. - Ga. L. 2017, p. 22, § 1/SB 121, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: "This Act shall be known and may be cited as the 'Jeffrey Dallas Gay, Jr., Act.'" Law reviews. - For article on the 2011 amendment of this Code section, see 28 Ga. St. U. L. Rev. 147 (2011). For article on the 2017 amendment of this Code section, see 34 Ga. St. U. L. Rev. 143 (2017).
Source: official Georgia text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia § 31-1-10
What does Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 31-1-10 cover?
Section 31-1-10 ("State health officer; duties.") is part of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the codified statutory law of Georgia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Georgia § 31-1-10?
A common citation format is "Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 31-1-10" (Georgia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Georgia law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Georgia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Georgia attorney.
How does Georgia § 31-1-10 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Georgia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Georgia.