Georgia § 31-7-176 - 1. Determination or pronouncement of death.
Full text of Georgia Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 31-7-176 — 1. Determination or pronouncement of death., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 31-7-176. 1. Determination or pronouncement of death.
When a patient who is terminally ill or whose death is anticipated and who is receiving hospice care from a licensed hospice dies, a physician assistant, a nurse practitioner, or a registered professional nurse licensed in this state and employed by such hospice at the time of apparent death of such person, in the absence of an attending physician, may make the determination and pronouncement of the death of said patient. Such determination or pronouncement shall be made in writing on a form approved by the commissioner of community health. (Code 1981, § 31-7-176.1 , enacted by Ga. L. 1992, p. 1392, § 2; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453, § 1-6/HB 228; Ga. L. 2017, p. 625, § 2/SB 96.) The 2017 amendment, effective July 1, 2017, in the first sentence, inserted "a physician assistant, a nurse practitioner, or" near the beginning and deleted "; provided, however, that, when a hospice patient is a registered organ donor, only a physician may make the determination or pronouncement of death" following "said patient" at the end. Law reviews. - For note on the 1992 enactment of this Code section, see 9 Ga. St. U. L. Rev. 265 (1992).
Source: official Georgia text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia § 31-7-176
What does Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 31-7-176 cover?
Section 31-7-176 ("1. Determination or pronouncement of death.") 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 § 31-7-176?
A common citation format is "Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 31-7-176" (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 § 31-7-176 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.