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Legislature advances bill to expand early childhood literacy training across Guam government
Summary
Bill 100‑38 COR would integrate early‑childhood literacy and development training into government licensure renewals and agency training, aiming to reach parents and caregivers from birth to age 8; sponsors moved it to third reading after broad bipartisan support and multiple floor amendments and cosponsors.
Senators voted to place Bill 100‑38 COR, a package to expand early childhood development and literacy training across Guam’s government and education systems, into the third‑reading file after extensive floor debate and amendments.
The bill’s sponsor described research showing early brain and language development begins at birth and argued training health professionals, educators and government workers would reach caregivers during the critical birth‑to‑2 and birth‑to‑5 windows. The measure would integrate early‑childhood development content into continuing‑education requirements for specified health professions, authorize a train‑the‑trainer rollout across agencies, and direct coordination among the Department of Public Health and Social Services, University of Guam, Guam Community College, Guam Department of Education and other partners.
Supporters cited local test results and national studies showing high proportions of elementary students below grade‑level in English language arts and urged early intervention. A senator cited GDOE assessment figures for third through fifth grades showing a large share not meeting standards and called the bill a preventive step to reduce later school failure and juvenile justice involvement.
Committee testimony and floor questions addressed implementation details: who would be covered by “healing arts” continuing‑education requirements, whether child‑care licensing rules would change and whether the Guam Early Learning Council — which had not convened recently — would have a defined role. The sponsor and Department of Public Health testified the Division of Children’s Wellness would lead the operational work and the bill aligns statutory language with existing regulations and planned UOG degree tracks.
Floor amendments added cosponsors and clarified committee revisions. The chamber ordered the bill to third reading without objection; sponsors said DPHS testified it can assist with planning and that a train‑the‑trainer approach and phased rollout are anticipated. Lawmakers emphasized budget questions remain: several senators urged that, if enacted, funding be appropriated during the budget process to avoid creating unfunded mandates for agencies or child‑care providers.
Bill 100‑38 COR will appear on the legislature’s third‑reading calendar; proponents and public‑health officials flagged next steps including continued interagency planning and a calendar for training and evaluation metrics.
