(1) As used in this section, “public employer” has the meaning given that term in ORS 243.650.
(2) Whenever a public employer’s employment policies provide for a pay differential for a public employee’s use of bilingual or multilingual skills in performing assigned duties, the policies must provide for, in the same manner as would be provided for the use of any other bilingual or multilingual skills, a pay differential for an employee’s use of American Sign Language in performing assigned duties.