(1) The schools shall be free to residents of the state between the ages of three and twenty-one years, who are blind/visually impaired or deaf/hearing impaired, or with other disabilities where a vision or hearing disability is the major need for services.

(2) The schools may provide nonresidential services to children ages birth through three who meet the eligibility criteria in this section, subject to available funding.

(3) Each school shall admit and retain students on a space available basis according to criteria developed and published by each school superintendent in consultation with each board of trustees and school faculty: PROVIDED, That students over the age of twenty-one years, who are otherwise qualified may be retained at the school, if in the discretion of the superintendent in consultation with the faculty they are proper persons to receive further training given at the school and the facilities are adequate for proper care, education, and training.

(4) The admission and retention criteria developed and published by each school superintendent shall contain a provision allowing the schools to refuse to admit or retain a student who is an adjudicated sex offender except that the schools shall not admit or retain a student who is an adjudicated level III sex offender as provided in RCW 13.40.217(3).

Conflict with federal requirements—2000 c 125: See note following RCW 72.40.200.

Severability—Effective date—1985 c 378: See notes following RCW 72.01.050.

Severability—1984 c 160: See note following RCW 28A.155.020.

Purpose—Intent—Severability—1977 ex.s. c 80: See notes following RCW 4.16.190.