The purpose of this article is to provide for the classification and systematic evaluation, licensure, and monitoring of residential programs designed for the treatment and therapeutic recovery of adult persons with a 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; to ensure that every governing body which operates an adult residential mental health program is licensed to do so; and to meet the rehabilitative and recovery needs and supports of persons who have mental illnesses while safeguarding their individual liberties as well as public safety.
OCGA § 37-3-201