QUALIFYING STATES.

SEC. 501. QUALIFYING STATES. (a) In General.— A State is a qualifying State if the Secretary of Agriculture (hereinafter in this subtitle referred to as the “Secretary”) determines that the State has in effect an agricultural loan mediation program that meets the requirements of subsection (c). 101 STAT. 1663 (b) Determination by Secretary.— Within 15 days after the Secretary receives from the Governor of a State, a description of the agricultural loan mediation program of the State and a statement certifying that the State has met all of the requirements of subsection (c), the Secretary shall determine whether the State is a qualifying State. (c) Requirements of State Programs.— Within 15 days after the Secretary receives a description of a State agricultural loan mediation program, the Secretary shall certify the State as a qualifying State if the State program— (1) provides for mediation services to be provided to producers, and their creditors, that, if decisions are reached, result in mediated, mutually agreeable decisions between parties under an agricultural loan mediation program; (2) is authorized or administered by an agency of the State government or by the Governor of the State; (3) provides for the training of mediators; (4) provides that the mediation sessions shall be confidential; and (5) ensures that all lenders and borrowers of agricultural loans receive adequate notification of the mediation program.