(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), in the event that a program participant fails to complete a minimum of three consecutive academic years of teaching as required by this article, under the terms of the agreement pursuant to paragraph (6) of subdivision (c) of Section 69618.1, the participant shall assume full liability for all student loan obligations remaining after the commission‘s assumption of loan liability for the last academic year of qualifying instruction pursuant to Section 69618.3.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), in the event that a program participant becomes unable to complete one of the three consecutive years of teaching service due to a serious illness, pregnancy, or other natural causes, the participant shall receive a deferral of the resumption of full liability for the loan for a period not to exceed one academic year.

(Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 330, Sec. 32. Effective August 21, 1998.)