The bill amends Sections 16-59-4 and 16-59-6 of the General Laws in Rhode Island, enhancing the powers and responsibilities of the Council on Postsecondary Education. It introduces new duties for the council, including the review and approval of a strategic plan for public higher education, which will be prepared by the commissioner of postsecondary education. The strategic plan must align with the goals of the Board of Education's strategic plan and include proposals for addressing the state's economic development, workforce development, and research needs, ensuring increased degree production, and improving efficiency through institutional collaboration.

The bill establishes additional responsibilities for the commissioner of postsecondary education, including preparing the strategic plan, making funding recommendations to public institutions of higher learning, consulting with these institutions to develop policies for the equitable distribution of public funds, and ensuring accountability for increasing educational attainment levels. The commissioner is also tasked with implementing an outcomes-based model for funding that emphasizes various performance metrics.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that an associate of science or associate of arts degree from the Community College of Rhode Island will satisfy all general education and core requirements for transfer to a Rhode Island public institution as a junior. It mandates that community college students receive clear information regarding curricular paths to baccalaureate degrees, including listings of non-transferable courses.

The provisions of this bill are to be fully implemented no later than the beginning of the 2027-2028 academic year, with the commissioner required to report annually to the Senate President and the Speaker of the House regarding the implementation progress, starting in the 2026-2027 academic year.