S. 2898

Supporting Farmworkers' Mental Health Act

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II

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 2898

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

September 21, 2023

Mr. Padilla introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

A BILL

To amend the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to authorize the use of certain grants to deliver peer-to-peer mental health support to individuals who are engaged in farming, ranching, farm work, and other occupations relating to agriculture.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Supporting Farmworkers' Mental Health Act.

2.

Findings

Congress finds that farmworkers—

(1)

are vital to the economy and food supply of the United States; and

(2)

who are disproportionately affected by stress and anxiety, often lack access to behavioral health care services.

3.

Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network

Section 7522 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 5936) is amended—

(1)

by inserting farm work, after ranching, each place it appears;

(2)

in subsection (b)—

(A)

in paragraph (1)(D), by striking or at the end;

(B)

by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3);

(C)

by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:

(2)

to initiate, expand, or sustain programs that deliver peer-to-peer mental health support to individuals who are engaged in farming, ranching, farm work, and other occupations relating to agriculture; or

; and

(D)

in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated), by striking paragraph (1) and subsection (a) and inserting paragraphs (1) and (2) and subsection (a); and

(3)

in subsection (d), by striking 2023 and inserting 2028.