(a) Except as provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), if a program participant fails to complete a minimum of three academic years of teaching on a full-time basis or the equivalent on a part-time basis, as required by this article under the terms of the agreement pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (c) of Section 70101, the loan assumption agreement is no longer effective and shall be deemed terminated, and the commission shall not make any further payments. The participant shall retain responsibility for any remaining loan obligations, but shall not be required to repay any loan payments previously made through this program.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), if a program participant becomes unable to complete one of the three years of teaching service on a full-time basis, or the equivalent on a part-time basis, due to a serious illness, pregnancy, or other natural causes, or due to being called to military active duty status, the term of the loan assumption agreement shall be extended for a period not to exceed one academic year, unless extended by the commission on a case-by-case basis. The commission shall make no further payments under the loan assumption agreement until the applicable teaching requirements specified in Section 70103 have been satisfied.

(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), if a natural disaster prevents a program participant from completing one of the required years of teaching service due to the interruption of instruction at the employing regionally accredited California college or university, the term of the loan assumption agreement shall be extended for the period of time equal to the period from the interruption of instruction at the employing regionally accredited California college or university to the resumption of instruction. The commission shall make no further payments under the loan assumption agreement until the applicable teaching requirements specified in Section 70103 have been satisfied.

(Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 187, Sec. 6. (SB 511) Effective January 1, 2010.)