19526. (Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 532, Sec. 4.)

(a) Whenever a blind person who has the proper educational qualifications regularly matriculates, enters, and works for a degree, or for a diploma of graduation, in any university, college, or state college in this state, and who is not a recipient of federally assisted vocational rehabilitation services, the Director of Rehabilitation shall provide from any funds appropriated for this purpose from the General Fund a reader to assist the individual in their studies.

(b) A reader whose services are provided pursuant to this section shall be deemed an independent contractor whose services shall have been contracted by the Director of Rehabilitation for the benefit of the blind person, and the reader shall not be an employee of the Department of Rehabilitation. Compensation for readers shall be established at a rate high enough to obtain competent readers but in no event shall the compensation be less than the basic federal minimum wage. No more than 1,100 hours of service by a reader per annum shall be allowed for the instruction of any one student, except that for graduate students not more than 1,300 hours of service by a reader shall be allowed for the instruction of any one student, provided that a greater amount may be expended if the Director of Rehabilitation finds that the instruction of a student will be facilitated by the additional expenditure.