(a) Persons excluded from membership pursuant to Sections 22601.5, 22602, and 22604 may elect membership in the Defined Benefit Program at any time while employed to perform creditable service subject to coverage under that program.

(b) The election shall be in writing on a properly executed form prescribed by this system and shall be received at the system’s headquarters office within 60 calendar days after the date of the employee’s signature and prior to submission of contributions. Membership in the Defined Benefit Program shall become effective no earlier than the first day of the pay period in which the election is made. The election is irrevocable and shall remain in effect until the member terminates employment and receives a refund of accumulated retirement contributions.

(c) The amendments to this section enacted during the 1995-96 Regular Session shall be deemed to have become operative on July 1, 1996.

(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 416, Sec. 10. (SB 1165) Effective January 1, 2019.)