Biohazard cleanup in Georgia

Crime scene, unattended death, suicide, blood and drug residue cleanup for homes, businesses and public agencies in Georgia. Below are the state rules that affect cleanup, with sources.

Working in Georgia

New Dawn serves Georgia as part of an eight-state area and schedules jobs from Tennessee. We do not have an office in every state. Call and we will tell you plainly how soon we can reach your location.

Every job follows the same steps: a call, a look at the site once police or the medical examiner have released it, a written scope and price, the cleanup, and a written summary.

What this means for New Dawn in Georgia

Georgia requires companies paid to clean up homicide, suicide and decomposition scenes to register with the Secretary of State. Before we take one of those jobs in Georgia, ask us for our registration and we will show it to you.

Services in Georgia

Georgia rules that affect cleanup

Checked 2026-11-04. Rules change, so confirm with the agency before relying on them.

Licensing for cleanup companies

Yes. Since January 1, 2021, Georgia law (O.C.G.A. Chapter 43-46A) requires anyone paid to clean up a trauma scene (homicide, suicide, or a death with advanced decomposition) to be registered with the Georgia Secretary of State, or work for someone who is. Registration lasts three years. Violations can bring a civil fine of up to $5,000. Motor vehicle accident scenes, owners cleaning their own property, and unpaid family or friends are excluded.

Source: HB 417 (2020), signed legislation adding O.C.G.A. Chapter 43-46A; Georgia Secretary of State: About the Department of Trauma Scene Waste Management Practitioners; O.C.G.A. 43-46A-2 (registration; fees) via FindLaw; Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. Chapter 550-2, Initial Registration

Drug lab and meth-contaminated properties

Georgia Department of Public Health guidance says there are no federal, state or county rules for public-health involvement at former meth lab sites. Georgia has no cleanup standard and no state-certified contractor list, and owners have no legal duty to clean up further. DEA notifies the county health department and posts a notice at the property. DPH's Chemical Hazards Program offers advice only. The guidance is undated, so check for newer rules.

Source: Georgia DPH: Conduct Safe Inspections of Methamphetamine Labs

Medical and biohazard waste

Georgia regulates biomedical waste as solid waste, not hazardous waste, under the Georgia Department of Natural Resources rules, Rule 391-3-4-.15. Waste must be packed in red or orange or biohazard-marked containers and given only to an authorized collector. Commercial treatment needs a solid waste permit. Collectors must notify the state within 30 days of starting. EPD's Land Protection Branch handles permits.

Source: Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 391-3-4-.15, Biomedical Waste; Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 391-3-4-.06, Permit by Rule for Collection, Transportation, Processing, and Disposal; Georgia EPD Land Protection Branch: Solid Waste; Georgia EPD hospital waste guide

Help paying for cleanup after a crime

Yes. The Georgia Crime Victims Compensation Program, run by the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, can pay for crime scene sanitization up to $1,500. The program maximum is $25,000 per victim, per victimization. It is the payer of last resort, so insurance must be used first. Contact: 800-547-0060 or CrimeVictimsComp.ga.gov.

Source: CJCC Victims Compensation flyer; CJCC Victims Compensation one-pager; Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 144-4-.06, Crime Victims Compensation Board

Who investigates a death

Georgia uses a county system. Most counties elect a coroner to a four-year term. A county may replace the coroner with an appointed medical examiner by local law. Unattended, violent, suicide and suspicious deaths must be investigated. The GBI Medical Examiner's Office provides autopsies for 153 of Georgia's 159 counties and sets guidelines for coroners.

Source: CDC: Georgia Coroner/Medical Examiner Laws; GBI Division of Forensic Sciences: Medical Examiners

Workplace safety rules

Georgia does not have an OSHA-approved State Plan. Private employers in Georgia are covered by federal OSHA. The federal Bloodborne Pathogens standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) applies to cleanup workers.

Source: OSHA: State Plans

Repairs and contractor licensing

The State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors licenses contractors. Residential contractor work requires a license when the value of the work or the pay exceeds $2,500. Some minor repair work that does not affect structural integrity is exempt if the worker tells the owner they are unlicensed.

Source: O.C.G.A. 43-41-2 (definitions) via Justia; O.C.G.A. 43-41-17 (exemptions) via Justia

Agencies you may deal with

Georgia Secretary of State, Professional Licensing Boards DivisionRegisters trauma scene waste management practitioners (crime and trauma cleanup companies).
Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD), Land Protection BranchRegulates solid and biomedical waste, including collector notification and treatment permits.
Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC), Crime Victims Compensation ProgramPays eligible crime victims, including up to $1,500 for crime scene sanitization.
Georgia Department of Public HealthPublic health guidance, including advice on former meth lab sites through its Chemical Hazards Program.
GBI Medical Examiner's OfficePerforms forensic autopsies for most Georgia counties and sets guidelines for coroners.
U.S. Department of Labor, OSHAWorkplace safety for private employers in Georgia, including the Bloodborne Pathogens standard.

This page is general information, not legal, medical or insurance advice. Rules change; check current requirements with the agency named.

Nearby states we serve

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Sources

You do not have to work this out alone.

Call, and we will explain what we see, what is involved and what happens next.

615-914-0790

Or email contact@newdawnbiorestoration.com