Rhode Island General Laws Title 16. Education § 16-26-7. Persons admissible

(a) All children of parents, or under the control of guardians or other persons, legal residents of this state, between the ages from birth to twenty-one (21) years, whose hearing or speech, or both, are impaired as to make it impracticable for this student to make progress toward his or her educational goals by attending the public schools may attend the Rhode Island School for the Deaf, without charge, under any rules and regulations as the board of regents for elementary and secondary education may establish.

(b) Deaf persons from birth to twenty-one (21) years, who are legal residents of the state, shall be entitled to the privilege of the school without charge, and for any period of time in each individual case as may be deemed appropriate by the board of regents for elementary and secondary education; residents of other states may be admitted upon the payment of any rates of board and tuition as may be fixed by the board.