It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 16-24-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-24 entitled "Handicapped Children" is hereby amended to read as follows:

16-24-1. Duty of school committee to provide special education. -- {ADD (a) ADD} In any city or town where there is a child within the age range as designated by the regulations of the state board of regents for elementary and secondary education, who is either mentally retarded or physically or emotionally handicapped to such an extent that normal educational growth and development is prevented, the school committee of the city or town shall provide the type of special education that will best satisfy the needs of the handicapped child, as recommended and approved by the state board of regents for elementary and secondary education in accordance with its regulations.

{ADD (b) In those cases that an individual education plan has been adopted for a child and the child moves to another town or city, the plan shall remain in effect until a new plan is adopted for the child in the new town or city. ADD}

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.