Rural Behavioral and Mental Health Access Act
The Rural Behavioral and Mental Health Access Act expands access to mental health and substance use treatment in rural communities through clinic funding, telehealth expansion, and workforce development. The Act integrates behavioral care into primary settings and supports crisis response tailored to rural needs. Its goal is to close access gaps and strengthen rural health systems.
Key Provisions
Rural Mental Health Facility Grant Program: Provides capital and operational funding to establish or expand rural mental health and substance use clinics.
Telebehavioral Health Infrastructure and Access Program: Funds equipment, broadband, and staff training for tele-mental health services in underserved rural communities.
Behavioral Health Integration Incentives: Offers grants and technical assistance to primary care practices that embed mental health professionals or adopt collaborative care models.
Rural Mental Health Workforce Scholarship and Loan Repayment Program: Provides tuition support and loan forgiveness to students and providers who commit to rural behavioral health service.
Community-Based Crisis Response Support: Funds mobile crisis teams, peer support specialists, and crisis stabilization beds tailored to rural geographies.
Model Language
Section 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the “Rural Behavioral and Mental Health Access Act.”
Section 2. Purpose. The purpose of this Act is to expand the availability, accessibility, and cultural appropriateness of behavioral health services in rural and underserved communities.
Section 3. Definitions.
(a) “Behavioral health provider” means a licensed psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, counselor, addiction specialist, or psychiatric nurse practitioner.
(b) “Rural area” means a geographic region designated as rural by the U.S. Census Bureau or state health department.
(c) “Department” means the state agency responsible for mental health and substance use services.
Section 4. Rural Mental Health Facility Grant Program.
(a) The Department shall establish a competitive grant program to: (1) Support construction, renovation, or expansion of rural mental health and substance use treatment facilities; (2) Fund staffing and start-up operational costs.
(b) Eligible applicants include nonprofits, community health centers, counties, and tribal entities.
Section 5. Telebehavioral Health Infrastructure and Access Program.
(a) The Department shall offer grants to rural providers for: (1) Purchase of telehealth-capable diagnostic and therapy equipment; (2) Broadband installation and technical support; (3) Staff training in telebehavioral health delivery.
(b) Priority shall be given to providers serving high-need, low-access rural populations.
Section 6. Behavioral Health Integration Incentives.
(a) The Department shall fund primary care practices that integrate behavioral health services through: (1) Hiring or co-locating mental health professionals; (2) Implementing collaborative care models; (3) Establishing warm hand-off and care coordination protocols.
(b) Technical assistance shall be available to support implementation.
Section 7. Rural Mental Health Workforce Scholarship and Loan Repayment Program.
(a) The Department shall offer financial incentives to build the rural mental health workforce, including: (1) Scholarships for students entering behavioral health fields who commit to rural practice; (2) Loan repayment for licensed providers who work in rural areas for at least two years.
(b) Funds may be used for tuition, licensure fees, and relocation costs.
Section 8. Community-Based Crisis Response Support.
(a) The Department shall fund crisis response programs designed for rural delivery, including: (1) Mobile crisis response teams with telehealth backup; (2) Peer support and recovery coaches; (3) Short-term crisis stabilization beds in rural regions.
(b) Coordination with law enforcement, 988 call centers, and emergency departments shall be prioritized.
Section 9. Severability. If any provision of this Act is held invalid, the remainder shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 10. Effective Date. This Act shall take effect on January 1 of the year following its enactment.