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. It introduces new duties for the council, including the review and approval of a strategic plan for public higher education, which must be prepared by the commissioner of postsecondary education. The strategic plan is required to be aligned with the goals of the Board of Education's strategic plan and to include proposals addressing the state's economic development, workforce development, and research needs, as well as ensuring increased degree production and institutional collaboration.

The bill also outlines specific responsibilities for the commissioner of postsecondary education, including preparing the strategic plan, making funding recommendations to public institutions of higher learning, and consulting with these institutions to develop policies for the equitable distribution of public funds. The policies must result in an outcomes-based model that emphasizes accountability for increasing educational attainment levels among Rhode Islanders.

Additionally, the bill mandates that an associate of science or associate of arts degree from the Community College of Rhode Island will satisfy 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 requires that community college students receive clear information regarding curricular paths to baccalaureate degrees.

The provisions of this section must be fully implemented no later than the beginning of the 2027-2028 academic year, with the commissioner required to report annually to legislative leaders on the implementation progress starting in the 2026-2027 academic year.