Whereas , The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to effect forthwith the operation of charter schools, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. Paragraph (ff) of section 89 of chapter 71 of the General Laws, as appearing in section 2 of chapter 46 of the acts of 1997, is hereby amended by striking out the third sentence and inserting in place thereof the following two sentences:- During fiscal year 1998, any charter school operating pursuant to a charter granted on or before January 1, 1997, whose students are not transported by the district of residence, but who would be eligible for transportation to and from such charter school based on the same terms and conditions as students attending local district schools shall receive the entire average transportation cost per student amount, as calculated by the department of education, for each such student, regardless of any transportation costs at such charter school. Schools operating pursuant to a charter granted after January 1, 1997, and all charter schools during fiscal year 1999 and thereafter, shall not receive funds for transportation above the amount actually required by such charter school for the provision of transportation services to eligible students.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect as of October 9, 1997.