The "Bright Today Scholarship and Open Enrollment Education Act" aims to enhance educational options for K-12 students in Rhode Island by allowing parents to enroll their children in public schools of their choice or to receive scholarships for private educational programs. The act introduces "Bright Today Scholarships," which are available to all eligible students and funded based on household income levels.

The legislation outlines the responsibilities of parents, including the commitment to provide education in core subjects and the proper use of scholarship funds. It establishes the management of scholarship accounts by the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, which will oversee the program to prevent misuse of funds and ensure transparency.

Additionally, the act sets accountability standards for participating schools, requiring compliance with health and safety regulations and nondiscrimination policies. It includes measures to prevent fraud in the scholarship program and mandates data collection on student performance, including annual testing and reporting of results to the department.

The program is scheduled to commence on August 1, 2025, and will take effect upon passage. The department is tasked with informing families about their options and ensuring that no government agency can exert control over nonpublic educational institutions.