(a) For purposes of this Code section, the term "respite care" means care and supervision for the person to be admitted while the person or persons with whom the person to be admitted usually resides are unavailable due to illness, absence, or needed rest. The level of treatment administered during such admission shall not exceed the level normally received by the person to be admitted while such person is living in his usual environment.

(b) The superintendent of any facility may admit any mentally retarded person for purposes of receiving respite care when there is an available bed appropriate to the specific needs of the client. The request for admission may be made by the person to be admitted if he is 18 years of age or older; by his parents, guardian, or person standing in loco parentis; or by his guardian if he has been declared legally incompetent.

(c) An admission for respite care shall be for no longer than two weeks, provided that a person may be admitted for additional periods of respite care; provided, further, that there shall be no more than two admissions for respite care within any six-month period, counted from the first day of such an admission. Any such admission which exceeds limits provided in this Code section must be in accordance with the procedure in Code Section 37-4-20 or 37-4-40. This Code section shall not apply when the person sought to be admitted is living in a nursing home or personal care home, as defined in paragraph (2) of Code Section 43-27-1.