2013 -- H 5167

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LC00545

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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A N A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - TRANSPORTATION OF SCHOOL PUPILS BEYOND CITY

AND TOWN LIMITS

     Introduced By: Representatives McLaughlin, Jacquard, and Hull

     Date Introduced: January 24, 2013

     Referred To: House Finance

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 16-21.1-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-21.1 entitled

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"Transportation of School Pupils Beyond City and Town Limits" is hereby amended to read as

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follows:

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     16-21.1-3. Variances permitted. -- (a) Variances to require a city or town to provide bus

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transportation to a pupil who attends a school, except a special education facility, outside the

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region in which the pupil resides shall be granted by the commissioner of elementary and

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secondary education if he or she finds that:

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      (1) There is no similar school within the region;

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      (2) The transportation is necessary to provide an educational opportunity which the pupil

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has a right to pursue; and

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      (3) The school building which the pupil attends is within fifteen (15) miles of the city or

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town of which the pupil is a resident.

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      (b) Variances to require a city or town to provide bus transportation to a pupil entitled to

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enrollment in a special education program, provided in accord accordance with regulations of the

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board of regents for elementary and secondary education, shall be granted by the commissioner of

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elementary and secondary education if he or she finds that the transportation is necessary in order

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that the pupil enroll in a special education facility located outside of the region and there is no

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similar facility within the region.

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     (c) Variances to require a city or town to provide bus transportation to a pupil entitled to

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enrollment in a charter school or vocational school, provided in accordance with regulations of

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the board of regents for elementary and secondary education, shall be granted by the

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commissioner of elementary and secondary education if the transportation is necessary in order

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that the pupil enroll in a charter school or vocational school located outside of the region.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC00545

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - TRANSPORTATION OF SCHOOL PUPILS BEYOND CITY

AND TOWN LIMITS

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     This act would require the commissioner of education to provide transportation to

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students attending charter or vocational schools.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC00545

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