Rhode Island General Laws Title 16. Education § 16-21.1-3. Variances permitted

(a) Variances to require a city or town to provide bus transportation to a pupil who attends a school, except a special education facility, outside the region in which the pupil resides shall be granted by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education if he or she finds that:

(b) Variances to require a city or town to provide bus transportation to a pupil entitled to enrollment in a special education program, provided in accord with regulations of the board of regents for elementary and secondary education, shall be granted by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education if he or she finds that the transportation is necessary in order that the pupil enroll in a special education facility located outside of the region and there is no similar facility within the region.