Bill > S2599

Introduced Session

A bill to amend the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to provide assistance to manage farmer and rancher stress and for the mental health of individuals in rural areas, and for other purposes. This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to implement a public service announcement campaign to address the mental health of farmers and ranchers, including television, radio, print, outdoor, and digital public service announcements. Additionally, USDA must establish a voluntary program to train employees of the Farm Service Agency, the Risk Management Agency, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service in the management of stress experienced by farmers and ranchers, including the detection of stress and suicide prevention; and convene a task force of agricultural and rural stakeholders at the federal, state, and local levels to assess the causes of mental stress in farmers and ranchers and identify best practices for responding to such stress.

Committee Categories

Jon Tester (D)*,  John Boozman (R),  Susan Collins (R),  Deb Fischer (R),  Kirsten Gillibrand (D),  Chuck Grassley (R),  Doug Jones (D),  Kelly Loeffler (R),  Chuck Schumer (D),  Tina Smith (D),  Thom Tillis (R), 

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (on 10/15/2019)

Official Document