The proposed bill establishes a new chapter within Title 16 of the General Laws, titled "Postsecondary Tuition Assistance for Shortage Teaching Fields." It creates a restricted receipt account known as the Shortage Teaching Fields Tuition Assistance Fund, which will provide financial assistance to eligible individuals attending Rhode Island postsecondary institutions in programs aimed at addressing critical educator shortages in specific subject areas, such as sciences and mathematics for grades 7-12. The bill outlines eligibility criteria for recipients, including enrollment in a relevant program and the completion of a service requirement of at least three years of full-time teaching in a shortage field.

Additionally, the bill specifies that recipients will not be required to submit SAT or AP test scores for admission and will not need to be Rhode Island residents. It also includes provisions for the repayment of tuition assistance if recipients do not complete their degree or fulfill the service requirement. The Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner (OPC) is tasked with administering the fund and developing regulations for its implementation, including defining shortage teaching fields and ensuring privacy in reporting. The act will take effect upon passage.