| Summary |
The bill creates the agricultural and rural community behavioral
health liaison (liaison) position in the behavioral health administration
(BHA) to serve as a liaison between the BHA, department of agriculture
(department), behavioral health-care providers, rural community leaders,
agricultural communities, and nonprofit organizations that serve
agricultural communities. The liaison shall:
•
Engage in statewide community outreach to educate
communities on the impact of behavioral health issues
facing farmers, ranchers, and other individuals involved in
agricultural or rural communities;
•
Establish interdepartmental relationships; and
•
Develop an understanding of and address the root causes of
behavioral health issues in the agricultural industry and in
rural communities.
The bill creates the agricultural behavioral health community of
practice work group (work group) in the department. The purpose of the
work group is to convene a group of leaders and experts in agriculture
and behavioral health care to improve access to behavioral health care for
those involved in agriculture. The work group consists of at least 7
members and shall:
•
Compile best practices to provide behavioral health care to
those involved in agriculture;
•
Identify gaps in access to comprehensive behavioral health
care for those involved in agriculture;
•
Engage with other stakeholders involved in behavioral
health care focused on those involved in agriculture; and
•
Collect data on behavioral health-care outcomes in
agricultural communities and steps taken to support those
involved in agriculture through behavioral health initiatives
and programs.
The work group is scheduled for sunset review and repeal on
September 1, 2029.
The bill establishes the agricultural behavioral health grant
program (grant program) in the department. The purpose of the grant
program is to:
•
Continue existing programs or create new programs that
address the root causes of behavioral health issues in the
agricultural industry or in rural communities;
•
Strengthen collaborative efforts between organizations and
communities in addressing the root causes of behavioral
health issues in the agricultural industry or in rural
communities; and
•
Improve access to health, wellness, and behavioral health
care for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural industry
workers.
The bill requires the department to contract with a statewide
agricultural organization to convene an in-person annual summit for
organizations with an interest in promoting and providing behavioral
health care to agricultural communities.
The department and the BHA are required to enter into an
interagency agreement to share data collected in the course of addressing
behavioral health-care issues in the agricultural industry and in rural
communities.
On or before January 1, 2026, and each January 1 thereafter, the
department is required to submit a report summarizing data collected by
the work group, and data collected from grant recipients, to the
agriculture, water, and natural resources committee and the health and
human services committee of the house of representatives and the
agriculture and natural resources committee and the health and human
services committee of the senate, or their successor committees, and the
BHA. On or before January 1, 2027, and each January 1 thereafter, the
department shall include in the report a summary of the data collected
regarding the in-person annual summit.
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