Every person employed by a community college district as a permanent employee in an academic position who is elected to the Legislature shall be granted a leave of absence from his or her duties as an employee of the district by the governing board of the district.

During the term of the leave of absence, the employee may be employed by the district to perform less than full-time service, for compensation and upon terms and conditions, as may be mutually agreed upon.

This absence shall not affect in any way the classification of the employee.

Within six months after the term of office of the employee expires, he or she is entitled to return to the position held by him or her at the time of his or her election, at the salary to which he or she would have been entitled had he or she not absented himself or herself from the service of the district under this section.

Notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary, a person employed to take the place of any such employee shall not have any right to the position following the return of the employee to the position.

This section shall apply to any permanent employee who held the office of Member of the Assembly or State Senator on or after January 4, 1965.

(Amended by Stats. 1995, Ch. 758, Sec. 164. Effective January 1, 1996.)