The bill amends Section 16-7.2-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-7.2, known as "The Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act," to increase state funding for educational programs. Key insertions include provisions for funding the excess costs of transporting homeless students to out-of-district public schools and the establishment of a stabilization fund for Central Falls, Davies, and the Met Center. The bill also emphasizes the need for funding to support career and technical education programs, voluntary pre-kindergarten programs, and transportation within regional school districts. Additionally, it introduces a regionalization bonus for public school districts that have been regionalized, replacing previous references to non-public schools with a focus on public school transportation for homeless students.

Moreover, the bill enhances school safety and transportation provisions by mandating that school resource officers (SROs) complete at least 40 hours of specialized training before assignment. It provides state funding to cover half of the salaries and benefits for SROs in public middle and high schools, contingent on meeting specific criteria. The bill also amends Section 16-21.1-1 to establish a state plan for transporting pupils beyond city and town limits, ensuring equal educational opportunities for children with disabilities and homeless students. It removes the requirement for nonpublic nonprofit schools to be counted for reimbursement under the state aid formula, instead requiring these schools to share transportation costs with sending districts. The act will take effect upon passage.