It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this article that the governing board of each school district, each county superintendent of schools and each state special school or center employ qualified persons to serve as readers for the legally blind certified classroom teachers employed by each of these entities.

There is hereby created in the State Treasury the Reader Employment Fund, to be administered by the Superintendent of Public Instruction. From any funds that are appropriated to the Reader Employment Fund, the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall allocate to each applicant school district, county superintendent of schools, and state special school or center operated pursuant to Part 32 (commencing with Section 59000) an amount sufficient to provide the legally blind certificated classroom teachers employed by the applicant with the services of a reader for a maximum of 15 hours per school week.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall establish the procedures and necessary forms for applications for funding pursuant to this section.