Except as provided in § 51-295a, the Chief Public Defender, the Deputy Chief Public Defender, and each public defender, assistant public defender and deputy assistant public defender shall be included under the provisions of chapters 65 and 66, regarding retirement and disability of state employees. Each such person shall receive retirement credit in accordance with the provisions of § 5-190a for each year or portion thereof for which retirement contributions are paid when serving as Chief Public Defender, Deputy Chief Public Defender, public defender, assistant public defender, deputy assistant public defender, state’s attorney, assistant state’s attorney or prosecutor or assistant prosecutor in the Superior Court, Court of Common Pleas or in the Circuit Court.