The proposed bill introduces a new chapter, "Building Opportunities in Out-of-School Time," to Title 16 of the General Laws, aimed at providing funding to support comprehensive and effective afterschool, school vacation, summer learning, and workforce development programs for students in grades kindergarten through twelve (K-12). The bill mandates the allocation of no less than four million dollars ($4,000,000) in the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget to invest in targeted professional development for staff in out-of-school time (OST) programs, program assessments to ensure strong outcomes for youth, and workforce development funding to train and retain high-quality youth development professionals.

Funding recipients may include nonprofit organizations, local governments, and local education authorities. The Rhode Island Afterschool Network, through its fiscal sponsor, the Rhode Island Foundation, is required to allocate a minimum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) for professional development and no less than three million five hundred thousand dollars ($3,500,000) to create a competitive request for proposals process for funding allocation each fiscal year. Only programs that adhere to the Rhode Island afterschool quality standards and indicators shall be funded.

Priority will be given to programs that support equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, particularly for low-income families, youth with disabilities, multi-language learners, and those with limited access to local programs and services. The bill emphasizes offering youth a broad array of opportunities, including educational and enrichment programs, social emotional learning, civic engagement, and workforce development supported through STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and the arts.

Additionally, the Rhode Island Afterschool Network is tasked with consulting key stakeholders, including the Department of Education, the Department of Human Services, and the Office of Postsecondary Education, to maximize the criteria for the provision of services. The Rhode Island Afterschool Network, through the Rhode Island Foundation, is also required to send a written report to the General Assembly and the Governor by December 31 of each year on the status and progress of the programs authorized by this chapter.