(a) The department may designate the state owned or state operated facility to which a client is admitted under this chapter. The department may instead designate a private facility, approved under Code Section 37-4-8, to which the client is to be admitted, if the department has obtained the prior agreement of the private facility and of the client or his representative.

(b) A client who is receiving habilitation at a state owned or state operated facility under this chapter may apply for a transfer at his own expense to a private facility approved under Code Section 37-4-8, if he is able to pay for habilitation at such private facility. If the private facility agrees to accept the client, the department shall transfer the client to that facility.

(c) If a private facility requests the department to take custody of a client who has been receiving habilitation therein under this chapter and if the client meets the criteria for admission under this chapter, then the department shall accept the client and designate the state owned or state operated facility to which the client shall be admitted.

(d) When the needs of the client or efficient utilization of any facility requires, a client may be transferred from one facility to another, and notice of and the reasons for such transfer shall be provided pursuant to subsection (c) of Code Section 37-4-44.