The proposed bill, titled "The Support and Access to Bilingual Education Act," aims to enhance bilingual education in Rhode Island by establishing a bilingual education support fund within the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The fund will receive an annual appropriation of $950,000 starting in FY 2027, with $300,000 allocated for the implementation of traditional public school district dual language programs and $600,000 for strategies and support to expand teaching certifications for bilingual dual language and world language teachers. Additionally, up to $50,000 may be used as discretionary funds by the department.

The bill outlines definitions for key terms related to bilingual education, including "bilingual dual language teacher" and "bilingual language instruction program model." It sets eligibility criteria for applicants seeking grants from the fund, which can include traditional public school districts, community-based organizations, and institutions of higher education that establish and expand bilingual language instruction program models. The act also mandates collaboration with the office of the postsecondary commissioner to streamline the certification process for bilingual educators.

The bill emphasizes the importance of supporting administrative and implementation efforts for bilingual education programs and encourages traditional public school districts to leverage existing funds. It is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and aims to support the development and implementation of high-quality bilingual education programs across the state.