110 HR 3751 IH: Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance U.S. House of Representatives 2007-10-04 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
I 110th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3751 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES October 4, 2007 Mr. Boswell introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture A BILL To amend the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to establish and provide for the administration of the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network Act of 2007.
2.
Findings
Congress finds that— (1)agriculture continues to be highly stressful, subject to the vagaries of weather, changing market conditions, and other factors beyond the control of agricultural producers; (2)the suicide rate of participants in the agricultural sector is twice as high as the rate of the general population; (3)farmers, ranchers, farm workers, and their families, and communities dependent on agriculture are twice as likely as the general population to lack health insurance; (4)behavioral healthcare providers are less available in agricultural regions; and (5)due to the factors described in paragraphs (1) through (4), together with other factors, participants in the agricultural sector constitute a health disparity group in need of specialized behavioral health programs that are affordable, available as needed, and culturally appropriate.
3.
Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network
Subtitle D of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1981 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
379E.
Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network
(a)
Definitions
In this section: (1)
Corporation
The term Corporation means AgriWellness, Inc., a nonprofit organization. (2)
Network
The term Network means the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network established under subsection (b)(1). (b)
Network
(1)
Establishment
As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall establish a network, to be known as the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network. (2)
Purpose
The purpose of the Network shall be to provide behavioral health programs to participants in the agricultural sector in the States of— (A)Iowa; (B)Kansas; (C)Minnesota; (D)Nebraska; (E)North Dakota; (F)South Dakota; and (G)Wisconsin. (3)
Administration
The Secretary shall offer to enter into a contract with the Corporation under which the Corporation, in consultation with the Secretary, shall administer the Network. (c)
Grant program
(1)
In general
In administering the Network, the Corporation shall provide grants to States to carry out pilot projects to achieve the purpose of the Network. (2)
Term
The term of a grant provided under this subsection shall be 2 years. (3)
Evaluation
Not later than 2 years after the date on which grants are provided under paragraph (1), the Corporation shall provide for a comprehensive third-party evaluation of, and submit to Congress a report describing the results of the evaluation, the extent to which the purpose of the Network has been achieved by each project that receives a grant under this subsection. (d)
Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
.