Former state Rep. James Mills was sworn in Monday as the newest member of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Gov. Nathan Deal administered the oath of office at the State Capitol. Deal announced in September that Mills would be appointed to the position.

“I take on these responsibilities knowing how important the board’s work is to protecting our citizens,” Mills said in a news release. “I am excited and I promise to serve faithfully in this capacity.”

Mills resigned Oct. 1 from his seat in the legislature, where he represented South Hall’s District 25. He had served 19 years.

Mills had been set to take the Pardons and Paroles post in January, but when Deal appointed Gale Buckner as the new commissioner of the state’s Department of Juvenile Justice, Mills was called to fill the vacancy immediately.

“The duties of the Pardons and Paroles board involve equally important and difficult decisions,” Deal said in the news release. “James Mills is a man of strong faith, who will ably balance our hopes for rehabilitation with our need for community safety.”

An election to fill Mills’ seat in the legislature was held Nov. 8, with Emory Dunahoo Jr. and Bobby Banks advancing to a runoff election set for Dec. 6.