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Legislature moves to restore sick-leave accrual for rehired retirees, sponsors frame measure as dignity and workforce support
Summary
Bill 50-38 COR would allow retirees who return to government employment while continuing annuity payments to accrue sick leave like active employees; supporters said the change restores fairness for rehired teachers and other critical employees.
The Legislature placed Bill 50-38 COR on the third reading file after senators argued the measure would restore sick-leave accrual for retirees rehired into government positions while still receiving annuity payments.
Sponsor Senator Chris Barnett told the chamber the measure responds to retired teachers and other rehired public servants who were denied sick-leave accrual under recent budget-language interpretations. Barnett said the change is intended to treat rehired retirees equitably and to support agencies that rely on experienced retirees to fill critical staffing gaps, including education, corrections, public safety and social services.
The bill would add a subsection to Title 4, Chapter 4 to provide that retirees who are authorized to continue receiving annuity payments while reemployed shall accrue sick leave as active employees do; it retains existing laws and rules on accrual use and disposition except for lump-sum payouts. Supporters stressed the measure is not aimed at replacing new hires but at allowing experienced retirees to return without being penalized if they become ill.
Public testimony cited in the floor record included retired teachers and the Guam Federation of Teachers who said the change will help teachers who return to classrooms to cope with illness without losing pay. The Department of Education’s personnel services administrator and other retirees provided written testimony in support. Floor participants said the provision will protect rehired retirees who often fill shortages or mentor less-experienced staff.
Lawmakers adopted cosponsors on the floor and placed the bill on the third reading file by unanimous consent; the sponsor said he hopes the change will be in place before the next school year so rehired teachers can receive sick-leave accrual if needed.
The bill advances to the Legislature’s voting/third-reading process; no recorded roll-call votes on final passage are included in the transcript excerpt.
