[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4382 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4382
To require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study on the
accessibility of addiction and mental health care providers and
services for farmers and ranchers who have been impacted by severe and
persistent drought, extreme weather events, instability in the
commodities market, misinformation targeting consumers, and for other
purposes.
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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 27, 2023
Mr. Neguse introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Agriculture
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A BILL
To require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study on the
accessibility of addiction and mental health care providers and
services for farmers and ranchers who have been impacted by severe and
persistent drought, extreme weather events, instability in the
commodities market, misinformation targeting consumers, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Agricultural Access to Addiction and
Mental Health Care Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDING.
Congress finds that farmers and ranchers face numerous challenges,
which can have a significant impact on the mental health and well being
of such farmers and ranchers, including--
(1) severe and persistent drought;
(2) extreme weather events;
(3) instability in the commodities market; and
(4) misinformation targeting consumers.
SEC. 3. STUDY ON ACCESSIBILITY OF ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE
PROVIDERS AND SERVICES FOR FARMERS AND RANCHERS.
(a) Study Required.--The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through
the Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (in this
section referred to as the ``Secretary''), shall conduct a study on the
accessibility of addiction and mental health care providers and
services for farmers and ranchers who have been impacted by severe and
persistent drought, extreme weather events, instability in the
commodities market, misinformation targeting consumers, and related
factors.
(b) Topics Addressed.--The study conducted under subsection (a)
shall include an examination of the following:
(1) The availability and accessibility in rural areas of
addiction and mental health care providers and services that
are trained and dedicated to serve the needs of farmers,
ranchers, agricultural workers, and their family members.
(2) Barriers and challenges faced by farmers and ranchers
in accessing addiction and mental health care and health and
wellness resources, including financial, geographic, and
cultural barriers.
(3) Identification of best practices and successful
programs at the State and local level that can be replicated at
the Federal level to addressed addiction and mental health care
needs in agricultural communities including the following:
(A) Hiring and training addiction and mental health
care professionals with expertise in working with
agricultural communities.
(B) Accessing cultural competency training for
addiction and mental health care professionals that
lack expertise in working with agricultural
communities.
(C) Developing certificate programs for
paraprofessionals and coaches to offer peer-to-peer
support programming.
(D) Researching effective curricula for youth and
young adults to be offered in rural schools.
(E) Expanding telehealth and telemedicine services
to improve access to care in rural areas.
(F) Developing outreach and educational programs to
reduce stigma and increase awareness of mental health
issues among farmers and ranchers.
(G) Enhancing coordination and collaboration
between existing mental health providers and
agricultural organizations.
(H) Conducting research and evaluation to measure
the effectiveness of addiction and mental health care
services provided to farmers and ranchers.
(4) Recommendations for improving the accessibility of
addiction and mental health care for farmers and ranchers.
(5) The feasibility of providing funding for 6 reimbursable
therapy sessions, by providers that are trained and dedicated
to serve the needs of farmers, ranchers and their family
members, through the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network
under section 7522 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of
2008 (7 U.S.C. 5936).
(c) Collaboration and Consultation.--The Secretary shall
collaborate and consult with relevant Federal agencies, State
departments of agriculture, mental health organizations, agricultural
organizations, and other stakeholders in conducting the study.
(d) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to the
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a
report containing the findings of the study under subsection (a).
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $1,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2024 through 2027.
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