The rights of any child under treatment in a facility to an appropriate education at public expense shall not be abridged during hospitalization; and the special educational needs of each child shall be individually considered and respected. The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and the State Department of Education shall ensure that education is provided for all patients of school age who are hospitalized in any state owned, state operated, or any other designated facility.
OCGA § 37-7-146