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. Key provisions include the council's new duty to review and approve a strategic plan for public higher education, which will be prepared by the commissioner of postsecondary education. The strategic plan must be aligned with the goals of the Board of Education's strategic plan and will implement broad goals and objectives for higher education.

The bill introduces a new section, 16-59-6.1, which outlines additional responsibilities for the commissioner of postsecondary education. These responsibilities include preparing the strategic plan, making annual funding recommendations to public institutions of higher learning, and consulting with these institutions to develop policies for the equitable distribution of public funds. The funding recommendations must include proposals for implementing the strategic plan and be provided to the General Assembly, the governor, and the council on an annual basis.

Furthermore, the bill specifies that an associate of science or associate of arts degree from the Community College of Rhode Island will be deemed to have met all general education and core requirements for transfer to a Rhode Island public institution of higher learning as a junior, while maintaining competitive admission standards for specific programs. It mandates that community college students receive clear and effective information regarding curricular paths to baccalaureate degrees, including listings of course offerings that identify non-transferable courses.

The provisions of this section must be fully implemented no later than the beginning of the 2027-2028 academic year, and the commissioner is required to report to the Senate President and the Speaker of the House regarding the implementation of these provisions at the start of each academic year thereafter.