Massachusetts General Laws
Chapter 71b - Children With Special Needs
Section 8 - Transportation to and From School; Reimbursement to Parents

Section 8. If a school age child with a disability attends a school approved by the department within or without the city or town of residence of the parent or guardian, the school committee of the town where the child resides may be required by the department to provide transportation once each day including weekends where applicable to and from such school while the child is in attendance. The city or town providing transportation under this section shall be reimbursed according to the provisions of section fourteen.
A school committee may adopt a program to reimburse parents who voluntarily choose to transport their disabled child to a school approved by the department that is located outside of the city or town of residence of the parent or guardian. The reimbursement program may utilize rates in excess of the standard state mileage reimbursement amounts and may be based on a mileage, daily or weekly rate. Committees choosing to utilize this option shall be able to demonstrate that parental reimbursements represent a cost savings compared to other modes of available transportation. An eligible parent shall not be required to participate in the program.

Structure Massachusetts General Laws

Massachusetts General Laws

Part I - Administration of the Government

Title XII - Education

Chapter 71b - Children With Special Needs

Section 1 - Definitions

Section 2 - Regulations; Special Education Programs; Pre-School Level Admission to Programs; Assignment of Child

Section 2a - Bureau of Special Education Appeals; Duties; Director; Supervision; Standards for Dispute Resolution; Confidentiality; Hearing Officers; Memorandum of Understanding; Bureau of Special Education Appeals Advisory Council

Section 3 - Identification of School Age Children With a Disability; Diagnosis of Disability; Proposal of Program; Evaluations and Assessments of Child and Program

Section 3a - Administrator of Special Education; Duties; Joint Appointment

Section 4 - Agreements Between School Committees or With Public or Private Schools

Section 5 - Costs or Obligations; Payment; Budget

Section 5a - Special Education Reimbursement Program

Section 5b - Pooled Risk Program for Extraordinary and Unanticipated Special Education Costs

Section 5c - Zero Interest Loan Program for Extraordinary and Unanticipated Special Education Costs

Section 6 - Assignment of Children to Classes; Annual Report; Equal Educational Opportunities; Prima Facie Denial; Hearings; Injunctive or Other Relief

Section 7 - Tests for Selection of Children for Referral, Diagnosis, or Evaluation

Section 8 - Transportation to and From School; Reimbursement to Parents

Section 9 - Department to Define Circumstances Requiring Special Education Programs and to Provide Standards

Section 9a - Workshop Curriculum; Parent Advisory Committee

Section 10 - Referral of Children to Institutions Within or Without the Commonwealth on Annual Renewal Basis Upon Request; Requisites; Expenses and Cost

Section 11a - Incarcerated Children With a Disability; Special Education

Section 12 - School Departments; Establishment; Administration; Staff; Operation; Expenditures; Costs of Education

Section 12a - Definitions Applicable to Secs. 12a to 12c

Section 12b - Bureau of Transitional Planning; Transitional Advisory Committee; Establishment

Section 12c - Continuing Habilitative Services; Eligibility; Transitional Plan; Rules and Regulations

Section 16 - Students With Disabilities; Participation in High School Graduation Ceremonies and Activities Without Award of High School Diploma