Service by a person as an instructor in classes conducted at regional occupational centers or programs, as authorized pursuant to Section 52301, shall not be included in computing the service required as a prerequisite to attainment of, or eligibility to, classification as a regular employee of a community college district.

This section shall not be construed to apply to any faculty member who has been employed to instruct in the regular educational programs of the district and subsequently assigned as an instructor in regional occupational centers or programs, nor shall it affect the status of regional occupational center instructors classified as regular or contract at the time this section becomes effective.