The bill amends Section 16-11-1 of the General Laws regarding the certification requirements for public school teachers in Rhode Island. It stipulates that no individual can be employed as a teacher in schools receiving public funding without a certificate of qualification from the board of regents for elementary and secondary education. However, it introduces specific exemptions: individuals employed as part-time speech and language pathologists at the Rhode Island School for the Deaf prior to July 11, 1990, are exempt from certification requirements. Additionally, the bill states that physical education teachers will not be required to have certification in adaptive physical education unless they were hired after July 1, 2025.

Furthermore, the bill includes a provision that mandates deductions from state aid for cities or towns that pay public funds to teachers lacking the necessary certification at the time of employment. This ensures accountability and compliance with certification standards. The act is set to take effect upon its passage.