H.R. 8149

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8149 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8149

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.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 27, 2026

Mr. Neguse (for himself and Mr. Van Orden) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture

_______________________________________________________________________

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 2026 through 2029.
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