Bill No. 226-38 (COR), introduced by Vincent A. V. Borja, aims to establish a Specialty Certification Incentive Pay Program for employees of the Guam Department of Education (GDOE) who obtain and utilize specialized certifications in critical shortage areas such as special education, language access, and disability services. The bill recognizes the ongoing staffing shortages in these areas and seeks to incentivize current employees to enhance their qualifications through approved training. The program will provide eligible employees with either a biweekly stipend ranging from $100 to $180 or a percentage differential of 5% to 10% of their base salary, contingent upon the active application of their skills and the validity of their certifications.

The bill outlines the process for designating eligible shortage areas, the funding sources for the incentive pay, and the reporting requirements for the GDOE. It mandates annual reports detailing the number of employees receiving incentive pay, expenditures, and the program's impact on staffing shortages. Additionally, the program will undergo interim and full reviews to assess its effectiveness and may be subject to termination if not reauthorized within five years. The new legal language added to the Guam Code Annotated includes the establishment of the Specialty Certification Incentive Pay Program and the specific provisions related to its implementation and oversight.

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