HR1906-119

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Rural Wellness Act.

2. Prioritization of projects that provide behavioral and mental health treatment services in selecting grantees under certain rural development programs; extension of substance use disorder set-aside and priority under the programs Section 6101(a)(1) of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (132 Stat. 4726) is amended— by striking 2025 and inserting 2029; in subparagraph (A), by striking 20 each place it appears and inserting 17; in subparagraph (B)— in clause (ii)— by inserting or (ii) before that receives; and by inserting or for behavioral and mental health treatment, respectively before the period; and by redesignating clause (ii) as clause (iii) and inserting after clause (i) the following: In selecting recipients of direct loans or grants for the development of essential community facilities under section 306(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)), the Secretary shall give priority to entities eligible for those direct loans or grants— to develop facilities to provide behavioral and mental health services such as— prevention services; treatment services; recovery services; or any combination of those services; and that employ staff that have appropriate expertise and training in how to identify and treat individuals with behavioral and mental health concerns. by adding at the end the following: In making grants under section 502(i) of the Rural Development Act of 1972 (7 U.S.C. 2662(i)), the Secretary shall give priority to an applicant that will use the grant for behavioral and mental health education and treatment. (ii)Behavioral and mental health treatment selection priorityIn selecting recipients of direct loans or grants for the development of essential community facilities under section 306(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)), the Secretary shall give priority to entities eligible for those direct loans or grants—(I)to develop facilities to provide behavioral and mental health services such as—(aa)prevention services;(bb)treatment services;(cc)recovery services; or(dd)any combination of those services; and(II)that employ staff that have appropriate expertise and training in how to identify and treat individuals with behavioral and mental health concerns.; and (D)Rural health and safety education programs; behavioral and mental health selection priorityIn making grants under section 502(i) of the Rural Development Act of 1972 (7 U.S.C. 2662(i)), the Secretary shall give priority to an applicant that will use the grant for behavioral and mental health education and treatment..