Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025

Bill: 119-hr-2591
Sponsor: Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6]
Introduced: 2025-04-02 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Aviation and airports
Congressional oversight
Department of Transportation
Government information and archives
Health promotion and preventive care
Mental health
Transportation employees

Summary:
action_date: 2025-04-02
text: 

Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025

This bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to review and update its regulations and policies on mental health for pilots and air traffic controllers.

The FAA must update regulations and take any other actions necessary to implement the recommendations of (1) the Aviation Workforce Mental Health Task Group, and (2) the Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee (the ARC).

The FAA must also annually review and update, as appropriate, the applicable regulations and policies on mental health-related special issuance for pilots and air traffic controllers. As background, an Authorization for Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate is a discretionary document from the FAA which allows an airman with a disqualifying medical condition to fly under a restricted medical certificate.

Among other things, the review and update must

reclassify and approve additional medications that may be safely prescribed to airmen to treat mental health conditions,

delegate additional authority to aviation medical examiners (AMEs) consistent with the ARC recommendations, and

improve the special issuance process for pilots and air traffic controllers.

 The bill authorizes the FAA to take actions to recruit and train additional AMEs.

The bill also authorizes an FAA public information campaign or education efforts to (1) destigmatize individuals in (or interested in joining) the aviation industry who seek mental health care, (2) broaden awareness of available supportive services, and (3) establish trust with pilots and air traffic controllers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-09-09
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2025-09-08
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2025-09-08
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3872)
action_date: 2025-09-08
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3872)
action_date: 2025-09-08
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2591.
action_date: 2025-09-08
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3872-3874)
action_date: 2025-09-08
text: Mr. Barrett moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2025-09-08
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 199.
action_date: 2025-09-08
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-242.
action_date: 2025-09-08
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-242.
action_date: 2025-06-11
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2025-06-11
text: Subcommittee on Aviation Discharged
action_date: 2025-06-11
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
action_date: 2025-04-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
action_date: 2025-04-02
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2025-04-02
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-04-02
text: Introduced in House