The bill introduces the "Rhode Island Early Educator Compensation Stabilization Act" as a new chapter (Chapter 114) to Title 16 of the General Laws, focusing on education. The bill acknowledges the importance of early childhood educators in the development of young children and addresses the issue of low wages and high turnover rates among these professionals in Rhode Island. It cites findings that many early educators earn wages comparable to or lower than those of fast food workers and other low-wage jobs, despite having similar qualifications to kindergarten teachers. The bill also notes the financial struggles faced by these educators, with many worrying about basic needs like food and housing, and a significant number holding second jobs or planning to leave the profession without better compensation.

To address these issues, the bill mandates the departments of human services and education to collaborate on several initiatives. These include allocating sufficient funds to continue and strengthen the Rhode Island T.E.A.C.H. early childhood program, registered apprenticeships for early educators, and the Child Care WAGE$ program, which provides education-based salary supplements. Additionally, the bill proposes to continue offering a $750 retention bonus every three months to eligible individuals working in licensed child care and early learning programs. The eligibility criteria for the retention bonus include having received a pandemic retention bonus in three of the previous four quarters, working with children for at least ten hours per week, and earning a base wage of $23.00 per hour or less. The act is set to take effect upon passage.