Assistance to Rural Farm Stress Assistance Act
SECTION 1. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following
1. Agricultural work continues to be highly stressful, characterized by uncertainty, and subject to changing market conditions, the unpredictable nature of weather, and other factors beyond the control of agricultural producers
2. Individuals working in agriculture have the highest overall suicide rate among all occupations
3. Access to behavioral health care is often limited among individuals working in agriculture due to time and geographical constraints
4. Agricultural workers are in need of specialized behavioral health programs that are affordable, available as needed, and carried out with understanding of concerns specific to agricultural work
SECTION 2. FARM AND RANCH STRESS ASSISTANCE NETWORKS.
(a) State Networks.—
(1) Grants.—The Secretary of Internal Affairs shall establish a program providing competitive grants to State departments of agriculture, State cooperative extension services, and nonprofit organizations.
(2) Eligibility.—Eligibility for competitive grants provided under paragraph (1) shall only be provided in which the purpose of which is to establish a rural stress assistance network to provide stress assistance programs to affected individuals, including counseling and support through—
(A) telephone helplines and internet websites
(B) training for advocates for affected individuals and other individuals or entities that may assist affected individuals in crises
(C) support groups
(D) outreach services and activities
(E) home delivery of assistance
(3) Use of Funds.—A competitive grant provided under this subsection may be used to enter into a contract with a community-based, direct-service organization to initiate, expand, or maintain an eligible cooperative program in the State.
(b) National Network.—
(1) Establishment.—The Secretary of Internal Affairs shall establish a National Rural Stress Assistance Network to coordinate stress assistance programs on a national scale for affected individuals
(2) Director.—The Secretary of Internal Affairs shall appoint an individual in the Department of Agriculture to be the Director of the national network.
(c) Authorization Of Appropriations
1. There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Internal Affairs, to carry out activities through the national network and State networks, $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.
SECTION 3. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.
(a) Report.—
(1) In General.—One year after the enactment of this act, a report describing the state of behavioral and mental health in farmers and ranchers shall be submitted to Congress, and made publicly available.
(2) Contents of Report.—The report under paragraph (1) shall include—
(A) an assessment of efforts made to support the mental health of farmers and ranchers by the federal, state, entities of local government, and communities that are comprised of farmers and ranchers
(B) a description of challenges faced by farmers and ranchers, including financial, medical, and other challenges, that may impact the mental health of farmers and ranchers
(C) an evaluation of the impact of farmer and rancher suicides on the agricultural workforce, production, and rural families
