All probationary and permanent part-time classified employees shall be entitled to sick leave, and all other benefits conferred by law on classified employees. Part-time employees shall be entitled to all leaves and benefits granted by the governing board to a majority of the regular full-time employees in the classified service of the district or to regular full-time employees in the same classified positions or general class of positions; but such leaves and benefits may be prorated in the same ratio as the regular work hours per day, days per week, weeks per month, or months per year of such part-time employees bear to eight hours per day, 40 hours per calendar week, four calendar weeks per month, or 12 calendar months during the school year.

Except for prorating benefits for part-time employees as herein authorized, the governing board shall provide at least the same benefits for all regular employees in the classified service as it provides for the majority of such employees.

Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the granting of additional benefits for some employees in recognition of nature of work, level of classification, or length of service.

This section shall not apply to employees properly designated as substitute, short-term, or limited-term employees, as defined in Sections 45103 and 45286 of this code, unless such employees are specifically included by a governing board, or by a personnel commission for those districts included under the provisions of Article 6 (commencing with Section 45240) of this chapter.

This section shall apply to districts that have adopted the merit system in the same manner and effect as if it were a part of Article 6 (commencing with Section 45240) of this chapter.

This section shall not apply to those benefits authorized under the provisions of Article 1 (commencing with Section 53200) of Chapter 2 of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5 of the Government Code.

(Enacted by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1010.)