The proposed legislation, known as the "Bilingual and Dual Language and World Language Teachers Investment Act," aims to address the shortage of bilingual, dual language, and world language teachers in Rhode Island, particularly in urban core and urban ring public schools. The act establishes a framework for expanding the issuance of teaching certifications in these areas and includes provisions for two scholarship programs: one for college students pursuing certification and another for eligible teachers already in the field.

The act mandates an annual appropriation of $500,000 by the General Assembly, commencing in fiscal year 2026, to support these initiatives, with the possibility of additional funds and charitable donations to further fund the scholarship programs.

Key components of the act include detailed eligibility requirements for scholarship recipients, which require commitments to work full-time in urban schools within one year of certification completion, maintaining a minimum GPA of 2.5, and completing the FAFSA or Rhode Island alternative application for state postsecondary student financial assistance.

The legislation empowers the office of the postsecondary commissioner to collaborate with Rhode Island College and the University of Rhode Island to streamline the certification process for bilingual, dual language, and world language teachers. The act is set to take effect on November 1, 2025.