It is and shall be the duty of state and local educational agencies of the state of Louisiana to provide a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment to every student with an exceptionality, ages three through twenty-one, who is a resident therein.

Acts 1977, No. 754, §1; Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 109, §1, eff. May 5, 1998; Acts 2008, No. 376, §1.