Georgia § 31-8-46 - Investigation; penalties; rules and regulations.
Full text of Georgia Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 31-8-46 — Investigation; penalties; rules and regulations., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 31-8-46. Investigation; penalties; rules and regulations.
If the department receives notice that a violation by a hospital of Code Section 31-8-42 is in progress, the department shall immediately order an investigation to determine whether or not there has been a violation and upon finding that a violation has occurred shall immediately order the hospital to comply with that Code section. If a hospital violates Code Section 31-8-42, the department shall assess a civil penalty of $500.00 for each such violation. Any such civil penalty shall be imposed by the department only after notice and hearing as provided in Article 1 of Chapter 5 of this title. Any person or facility subject to a civil penalty under this Code section is entitled to judicial review in accordance with Article 1 of Chapter 5 of this title. All civil penalties recovered by the department under this Code section shall be paid into the general fund of the state treasury. Any hospital held to be in violation of Code Section 31-8-42 more than three times within any 12 month period shall be subject to suspension or revocation of license by the Department of Community Health. The Department of Community Health is authorized and directed to promulgate appropriate rules and regulations for the enforcement of this article. Nothing in this article shall be construed to preempt any other law or to deny to any individual any rights or remedies which are provided by or under any other law. (Code 1981, § 31-8-46 , enacted by Ga. L. 1984, p. 1389, § 1; Ga. L. 1985, p. 829, § 3; Ga. L. 2008, p. 12, § 2-27/SB 433; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453, § 1-4/HB 228.)
Source: official Georgia text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia § 31-8-46
What does Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 31-8-46 cover?
Section 31-8-46 ("Investigation; penalties; rules and regulations.") 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 § 31-8-46?
A common citation format is "Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 31-8-46" (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 § 31-8-46 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.