Notwithstanding Sections 10380 and 10380.5, any person serving as a teacher or program director in a child care and development program that provides service to severely disabled children, as defined in Section 10213.5, pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 10260, shall hold an appropriate child care and development permit, be deemed to hold that permit pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 10380 or pursuant to Section 10380.5, or meet one or more of the following options:

(a) Is a teacher meeting one of the following criteria:

(1) Has completed all the following:

(A) Twenty-four semester units of coursework, with a “C” or better average, from an accredited institution in any one or a combination of the following areas: psychology, sociology, special education, physical education, recreation therapy, vocational education, early childhood education, and child development.

(B) Sixteen semester units of coursework in general education, including one course in each of the following areas: humanities, social sciences, math or science, or both, and English.

(C) Completed one of the following:

(i) Two experience periods as a paid aide or assistant in a program serving children with exceptional needs or children who are severely disabled.

(ii) Three experience periods as a volunteer in an instructional capacity in a program serving children with exceptional needs or children who are severely disabled.

(iii) (I) Two or more semester units of supervised field coursework in a child care and development program at an accredited institution, plus one experience period in a program serving children with exceptional needs or children who are severely disabled.

(II) For purposes of this subparagraph, “experience period” means paid or volunteer services in a program serving children with exceptional needs or children who are severely disabled for not less than 200 hours. Those services shall have been provided for a minimum of two hours per day during not more than 36 consecutive months.

(2) Holds a California special education credential.

(b) Is a program director meeting one of the following criteria:

(1) Holds a California special education credential.

(2) Holds a professional credential, license, or masters degree in psychology, social work, special education, physical education, recreation therapy, vocational education, counseling, early childhood education, or child development, and has completed six semester units of administration and supervision of early childhood education or child development programs, or both.

(c) Was employed prior to January 1, 1993, as a teacher or program director in a child care and development program that provides services to severely disabled children.

(Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 116, Sec. 260. (AB 131) Effective July 23, 2021.)