(a)
“Educator” means a certificated person holding a valid California teaching credential or a valid California services credential issued by the commission who is employed by a local education agency or by a special education local planning area and who is not employed as an independent contractor or consultant.
(b)
The definition of educator as set forth in subdivision (a) does not apply to a person participating in a program enacted by statute prior to January 1, 2004.
(c)
The definition of educator as set forth in subdivision (a) applies to a person participating in a program enacted by statute on or after January 1, 2004, only if the statute implementing the program expressly references this section.