Any resident of this state, under twenty–one years of age, who by reason of blindness or deaf–blindness, either partial or total, has not received and is unable to receive the full benefits of the public schools, and who is capable of receiving instruction, and who is free from contagious diseases and physically fit to attend such school is eligible for programs provided by the South Dakota School for the Blind and the Visually Impaired and, if necessary, shall be received and taught, free of charge, at such school and is entitled to receive an education in such institution until completion of the secondary level program or attainment of the age of twenty–one years, whichever comes first, at the expense of the state. Any person who is not a resident of the state, but meets all of the other qualifications included in this section, may be admitted to the school if the Board of Regents determines that the admittance does not exclude eligible residents of the state and upon payment of board, tuition, and care charges established by the Board of Regents.

Source: SDC 1939, § 55.4003; SL 1975, ch 128, § 368; SL 1977, ch 166, § 1; SL 1979, ch 145, § 1; SL 1989, ch 171, § 1; SL 1998, ch 110, § 10.