(a) The General Assembly recognizes that there may be occasions when an adult has not made advance arrangements for a situation when he or she is unable to consent to his or her own admission to or discharge from one health care facility or placement or transfer to another health care facility or placement. Under these circumstances, the General Assembly further recognizes that it may be necessary and in the adult's best interest to be admitted to or discharged from one health care facility or placement or transferred to an alternative facility or placement.

(b) In recognition of the findings in subsection (a) of this Code section, the General Assembly declares that the laws of the State of Georgia shall provide for the most appropriate placement available for these individuals and shall declare an order of priority for those persons who may make the decision to transfer, admit, or discharge such adults at the appointed times and a procedure for obtaining authorization from the court in the absence of a person authorized to consent.