Bill Sponsor
Colorado Senate Bill 55
Session 2024A
Agricultural & Rural Behavioral Health Care
Became Law
Became Law
Signed by Governor on Jun 6, 2024
Sponsors
Democrat
Janice Marchman
Republican
Perry Will
Democrat
Meghan Lukens
Republican
Anthony Hartsook
First Action
Jan 17, 2024
Latest Action
Jun 6, 2024
Origin Chamber
Senate
Type
Bill
Bill Number
55
State
Colorado
Session
2024A
Sponsorship by Party
Republican
Primary
Democrat
Primary
Democrat
Primary
Republican
Primary
Summary
The act creates the agricultural and rural community behavioral health program (program) in the behavioral health administration (BHA). The BHA is required to identify a specific BHA staff person to serve as a liaison between the BHA, the department of agriculture (department), behavioral health-care providers, rural community leaders, agricultural communities, and nonprofit organizations that serve agricultural communities. The program shall: Engage in statewide community outreach to educate communities on behavioral health issues facing farmers, ranchers, other agricultural industry workers, their families, and 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 act 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 and their families. The work group consists of at least 7 members and shall: Compile best practices to provide behavioral health care to those involved in agriculture and their families; Identify gaps in the provision of behavioral health care to those involved in agriculture; Engage with other stakeholders involved in behavioral health care focused on those involved in agriculture; Collect data, as permitted by state and federal data privacy laws, on behavioral health-care outcomes in agricultural communities and steps taken to support those involved in agriculture through behavioral health initiatives and programs; and Report to the department and the BHA on the data collected and recommend legislative or policy changes to further improve agricultural behavioral health care. The work group is scheduled for sunset review and repeal on September 1, 2029. The act establishes the agricultural behavioral health grant program (grant program) in the department. Subject to available appropriations, the department may administer the grant program. 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, other agricultural industry workers, and their families. The act 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. The interagency agreement must state that the data shared will be aggregated and anonymized, and data sharing must be in compliance with state and federal data privacy laws. 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. For the 2024-25 state fiscal year, the general assembly appropriates $61,989 from the general fund for use by the department to implement the act. For the 2024-25 state fiscal year, the general assembly appropriates $145,116 to the department of human services for use by the BHA to implement the act. APPROVED by Governor June 6, 2024 EFFECTIVE August 7, 2024(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
Actions (14)
06/06/2024
Office of the Governor
Governor Signed
05/13/2024
Office of the Governor
Sent to the Governor
05/13/2024
House
Signed by the Speaker of the House
05/13/2024
Senate
Signed by the President of the Senate
05/08/2024
House
House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
05/07/2024
House
House Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments
05/06/2024
House
House Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
05/04/2024
House
House Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole
05/02/2024
House
Introduced In House - Assigned to Appropriations
05/02/2024
Senate
Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
05/01/2024
Senate
Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor
05/01/2024
Senate
Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole
02/07/2024
Senate
Senate Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Amended to Appropriations
01/17/2024
Senate
Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Health & Human Services
Sources
Record Created
Jan 18, 2024 12:49:22 AM
Record Updated
Aug 9, 2024 6:15:13 PM