Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025

Bill: 119-hr-2591
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6]
Introduced: 2025-04-02
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
Latest action: action_date: 2025-09-09
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Summaries:
action_date: 2025-04-02
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025</strong></p><p>This bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to review and update its regulations and policies on mental&nbsp;health for pilots and air traffic controllers.</p><p>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&nbsp;Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee (the ARC).</p><p>The FAA must also annually review and update, as appropriate, the applicable regulations and policies on&nbsp;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.</p><p>Among other things, the review and update must</p><ul><li>reclassify and approve additional medications that may be safely prescribed to airmen to treat mental health conditions,</li><li>delegate additional authority to aviation medical examiners (AMEs) consistent with the ARC recommendations, and</li><li>improve the special issuance process for pilots and air traffic controllers.</li></ul><p>&nbsp;The bill authorizes the FAA to take actions to recruit and train additional AMEs.</p><p>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.</p>

tv_txt: IIB 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2591 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 9, 2025 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation AN ACT To require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to revise regulations for certain individuals carrying out aviation activities who disclose a mental health diagnosis or condition, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 . 2. Regulations for individuals carrying out aviation activities (a) In general Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall update regulations, including in part 67 of title 14 of Code of Federal Regulations, as appropriate, to encourage individuals to— (1) seek help for mental health conditions or symptoms of mental health conditions; and (2) disclose conditions or symptoms described in paragraph (1). (b) Consultation; report requirements Section 411(d) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 ( 49 U.S.C. 44703 note(d)) is amended— (1) in paragraph (4)— (A) in subparagraph (A) by striking and at the end; (B) in subparagraph (B) by striking and at the end; (C) in subparagraph (C) by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (D) by adding at the end the following: (D) a review and evaluation of any recommendations reached by the National Transportation Safety Board related to aviation workforce mental health; and (E) a description of relevant clinical studies, research, diagnostic manuals, and protocols used by the licensed professionals as of the date of enactment of this Act. ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (5) Consultation In carrying out this subsection, the task group shall consult with relevant stakeholders from the aviation and medical communities, as necessary, including— (A) the certified exclusive bargaining representatives of air traffic controllers of the Administration certified under section 7111 of title 5, United States Code; (B) organizations representing certified collective bargaining representatives of airline pilots; (C) aviation medical examiners, as described in section 183.21 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; and (D) any other stakeholder determined relevant by the task group, including any stakeholders described in paragraph (3)(B). . (c) Implementation (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the submission of the report required under section 411(f) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 ( 49 U.S.C. 44703 note), the Administrator shall take such actions as are necessary to implement the mental health-related recommendations of such report. (2) Justification If the Administrator decides not to implement any of the recommendations described in paragraph (1), the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress the justification for such decision. 3. Annual review of mental health special issuance process The Administrator shall conduct an annual review, and update, as appropriate, the applicable regulations, policies, orders, and guidance on mental health-related special issuance for pilots and air traffic controllers to— (1) reclassify and approve additional medications that may be safely prescribed to airmen to treat mental health conditions; (2) improve mental health knowledge and training for aviation medical examiners; (3) if the Administrator determines appropriate, delegate additional authority to aviation medical examiners consistent with the recommendation of the Mental Health Aviation Rulemaking Committee described in section 5; and (4) improve the special issuance process for pilots and air traffic controllers. 4. Authorization of appropriation for additional aviation medical examiners Of the amounts made available pursuant to section 106(k)(1) of title 49, United States Code, the Administrator shall set aside $13,740,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2028 to— (1) recruit, select, train, and delegate the necessary authorities to additional aviation medical examiners and human intervention motivation study aviation medical examiners, including those who are psychiatrists; (2) expand capacity to provide oversight of aviation medical examiners and clear the backlog of special issuance requests and cases awaiting review at the Office of Aerospace Medicine; and (3) support any other related activities, as the Administrator determines appropriate. 5. Implementation of aviation rulemaking committee recommendations (a) In general Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall implement, to the greatest extent practicable, the recommendations of the Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee which were submitted to the Administrator on April 1, 2024. (b) Consultation In carrying out subsection (a), the Administrator shall consult with the parties described in section 411(d)(5) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 (as added by this Act). (c) Justification If the Administrator decides not to implement any of the recommendations described in subsection (a), the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress the justification for such decision. 6. Public information campaign (a) In general Of the amounts made available under section 106(k)(1) of title 49, United States Code, the Administrator shall set aside $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2028 for a public information campaign or similar public education efforts to destigmatize individuals in (or interested in joining) the aviation industry who seek mental health care, to broaden awareness of available supportive services, and establish trust with pilots and air traffic controllers. (b) Report Not later than 1 year after the Administrator creates the public information campaign described in subsection (a), the Administrator shall submit to appropriate committees of Congress a report describing the actions taken to develop such campaign and the plans for implementation. 7. Definitions In this Act: (1) Appropriate committees of Congress The term appropriate committees of Congress means— (A) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; and (B) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate. (2) Special issuance The term special issuance has the meaning given the term in section 67.401 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.

Passed the House of Representatives September 8, 2025. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.

tv_txt: I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2591 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to revise regulations for certain individuals carrying out aviation activities who disclose a mental health diagnosis or condition, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 . 2. Regulations for individuals carrying out aviation activities (a) In general Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall update regulations, including in part 67 of title 14 of Code of Federal Regulations, as appropriate, to encourage individuals to— (1) seek help for mental health conditions or symptoms of mental health conditions; and (2) disclose conditions or symptoms described in paragraph (1). (b) Consultation; report requirements Section 411(d) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 ( 49 U.S.C. 44703 note(d)) is amended— (1) in paragraph (4)— (A) in subparagraph (A) by striking and at the end; (B) in subparagraph (B) by striking and at the end; (C) in subparagraph (C) by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (D) by adding at the end the following: (D) a review and evaluation of any recommendations reached by the National Transportation Safety Board related to aviation workforce mental health; and (E) a description of relevant clinical studies, research, diagnostic manuals, and protocols used by the licensed professionals as of the date of enactment of this Act. ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (5) Consultation In carrying out this subsection, the task group shall consult with relevant stakeholders from the aviation and medical communities, as necessary, including— (A) the certified exclusive bargaining representatives of air traffic controllers of the Administration certified under section 7111 of title 5, United States Code; (B) organizations representing certified collective bargaining representatives of airline pilots; (C) aviation medical examiners, as described in section 183.21 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; and (D) any other stakeholder determined relevant by the task group, including any stakeholders described in paragraph (3)(B). . (c) Implementation (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the submission of the report required under section 411(f) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 ( 49 U.S.C. 44703 note), the Administrator shall take such actions as are necessary to implement the mental health-related recommendations of such report. (2) Justification If the Administrator decides not to implement any of the recommendations described in paragraph (1), the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress the justification for such decision. 3. Annual review of mental health special issuance process The Administrator shall conduct an annual review, and update, as appropriate, the applicable regulations, policies, orders, and guidance on mental health-related special issuance for pilots and air traffic controllers to— (1) reclassify and approve additional medications that may be safely prescribed to airmen to treat mental health conditions; (2) improve mental health knowledge and training for aviation medical examiners; (3) if the Administrator determines appropriate, delegate additional authority to aviation medical examiners consistent with the recommendation of the Mental Health Aviation Rulemaking Committee described in section 5; and (4) improve the special issuance process for pilots and air traffic controllers. 4. Authorization of appropriation for additional aviation medical examiners Of the amounts made available pursuant to section 106(k)(1) of title 49, United States Code, the Administrator shall set aside $13,740,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2028 to— (1) recruit, select, train, and delegate the necessary authorities to additional aviation medical examiners and human intervention motivation study aviation medical examiners, including those who are psychiatrists; (2) expand capacity to provide oversight of aviation medical examiners and clear the backlog of special issuance requests and cases awaiting review at the Office of Aerospace Medicine; and (3) support any other related activities, as the Administrator determines appropriate. 5. Implementation of aviation rulemaking committee recommendations (a) In general Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall implement, to the greatest extent practicable, the recommendations of the Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee which were submitted to the Administrator on April 1, 2024. (b) Consultation In carrying out subsection (a), the Administrator shall consult with the parties described in section 411(d)(5) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 (as added by this Act). (c) Justification If the Administrator decides not to implement any of the recommendations described in subsection (a), the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress the justification for such decision. 6. Public information campaign (a) In general Of the amounts made available under section 106(k)(1) of title 49, United States Code, the Administrator shall set aside $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2028 for a public information campaign or similar public education efforts to destigmatize individuals in (or interested in joining) the aviation industry who seek mental health care, to broaden awareness of available supportive services, and establish trust with pilots and air traffic controllers. (b) Report Not later than 1 year after the Administrator creates the public information campaign described in subsection (a), the Administrator shall submit to appropriate committees of Congress a report describing the actions taken to develop such campaign and the plans for implementation. 7. Definitions In this Act: (1) Appropriate committees of Congress The term appropriate committees of Congress means— (A) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; and (B) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate. (2) Special issuance The term special issuance has the meaning given the term in section 67.401 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.

Passed the House of Representatives September 8, 2025. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.

tv_txt: IB Union Calendar No. 199 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2591 [Report No. 119–242] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 2, 2025 Mr. Casten (for himself, Mr. Stauber , Mr. Larsen of Washington , and Mr. Mann ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure September 8, 2025 Additional sponsors: Ms. Wilson of Florida , Mr. Bergman , Ms. Davids of Kansas , Mr. Fitzpatrick , Ms. King-Hinds , Ms. Norton , Mr. Nadler , Mr. Bacon , Mrs. Hinson , Mr. Carbajal , Mrs. Watson Coleman , Mr. Kean , Mr. Moylan , Ms. Titus , Mr. McDowell , Mr. Ryan , Mr. Carson , Mr. Owens , Mr. Johnson of Georgia , Mr. Obernolte , Mr. Van Drew , Mr. Deluzio , Mr. Valadao , Ms. Scholten , Mrs. McIver , Mr. Turner of Ohio , Mr. Garbarino , Mr. Garcia of California , Mr. Knott , Mr. Begich , Ms. Tokuda , Mr. Krishnamoorthi , Mr. Wied , Ms. Lofgren , Mr. LaLota , Mr. Stanton , Mr. Evans of Colorado , Mr. Suozzi , Mr. Lawler , and Ms. Craig September 8, 2025 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on April 2, 2025 A BILL To require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to revise regulations for certain individuals carrying out aviation activities who disclose a mental health diagnosis or condition, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 . 2. Regulations for individuals carrying out aviation activities (a) In general Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall update regulations, including in part 67 of title 14 of Code of Federal Regulations, as appropriate, to encourage individuals to— (1) seek help for mental health conditions or symptoms of mental health conditions; and (2) disclose conditions or symptoms described in paragraph (1). (b) Consultation; report requirements Section 411(d) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 ( 49 U.S.C. 44703 note(d)) is amended— (1) in paragraph (4)— (A) in subparagraph (A) by striking and at the end; (B) in subparagraph (B) by striking and at the end; (C) in subparagraph (C) by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (D) by adding at the end the following: (D) a review and evaluation of any recommendations reached by the National Transportation Safety Board related to aviation workforce mental health; and (E) a description of relevant clinical studies, research, diagnostic manuals, and protocols used by the licensed professionals as of the date of enactment of this Act. ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (5) Consultation In carrying out this subsection, the task group shall consult with relevant stakeholders from the aviation and medical communities, as necessary, including— (A) the certified exclusive bargaining representatives of air traffic controllers of the Administration certified under section 7111 of title 5, United States Code; (B) organizations representing certified collective bargaining representatives of airline pilots; (C) aviation medical examiners, as described in section 183.21 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; and (D) any other stakeholder determined relevant by the task group, including any stakeholders described in paragraph (3)(B). . (c) Implementation (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the submission of the report required under section 411(f) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 ( 49 U.S.C. 44703 note), the Administrator shall take such actions as are necessary to implement the mental health-related recommendations of such report. (2) Justification If the Administrator decides not to implement any of the recommendations described in paragraph (1), the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress the justification for such decision. 3. Annual review of mental health special issuance process The Administrator shall conduct an annual review, and update, as appropriate, the applicable regulations, policies, orders, and guidance on mental health-related special issuance for pilots and air traffic controllers to— (1) reclassify and approve additional medications that may be safely prescribed to airmen to treat mental health conditions; (2) improve mental health knowledge and training for aviation medical examiners; (3) if the Administrator determines appropriate, delegate additional authority to aviation medical examiners consistent with the recommendation of the Mental Health Aviation Rulemaking Committee described in section 5; and (4) improve the special issuance process for pilots and air traffic controllers. 4. Authorization of appropriation for additional aviation medical examiners Of the amounts made available pursuant to section 106(k)(1) of title 49, United States Code, the Administrator shall set aside $13,740,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2028 to— (1) recruit, select, train, and delegate the necessary authorities to additional aviation medical examiners and human intervention motivation study aviation medical examiners, including those who are psychiatrists; (2) expand capacity to provide oversight of aviation medical examiners and clear the backlog of special issuance requests and cases awaiting review at the Office of Aerospace Medicine; and (3) support any other related activities, as the Administrator determines appropriate. 5. Implementation of aviation rulemaking committee recommendations (a) In general Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall implement, to the greatest extent practicable, the recommendations of the Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee which were submitted to the Administrator on April 1, 2024. (b) Consultation In carrying out subsection (a), the Administrator shall consult with the parties described in section 411(d)(5) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 (as added by this Act). (c) Justification If the Administrator decides not to implement any of the recommendations described in subsection (a), the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress the justification for such decision. 6. Public information campaign (a) In general Of the amounts made available under section 106(k)(1) of title 49, United States Code, the Administrator shall set aside $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2028 for a public information campaign or similar public education efforts to destigmatize individuals in (or interested in joining) the aviation industry who seek mental health care, to broaden awareness of available supportive services, and establish trust with pilots and air traffic controllers. (b) Report Not later than 1 year after the Administrator creates the public information campaign described in subsection (a), the Administrator shall submit to appropriate committees of Congress a report describing the actions taken to develop such campaign and the plans for implementation. 7. Definitions In this Act: (1) Appropriate committees of Congress The term appropriate committees of Congress means— (A) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; and (B) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate. (2) Special issuance The term special issuance has the meaning given the term in section 67.401 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.

September 8, 2025 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

tv_txt: I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2591 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 2, 2025 Mr. Casten (for himself, Mr. Stauber , Mr. Larsen of Washington , and Mr. Mann ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL To require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to revise regulations for certain individuals carrying out aviation activities who disclose a mental health diagnosis or condition, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 . 2. Regulations for individuals carrying out aviation activities (a) In general Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall update regulations, including in part 67 of title 14 of Code of Federal Regulations, as appropriate, and take any other actions necessary to implement the recommendations of the aviation workforce mental health task group established under section 411(d) the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 to encourage individuals to— (1) seek help for mental health conditions or symptoms of mental health conditions; and (2) to disclose conditions or symptoms described in paragraph (1). (b) Consultation In carrying out this section, the task group described in subsection (a) shall consult with relevant stakeholders from the aviation and medical communities, as necessary, including— (1) the certified exclusive bargaining representatives of air traffic controllers of the Administration certified under section 7111 of title 5, United States Code; (2) the principal organization representing the largest certified collective bargaining representative of airline pilots; (3) aviation medical examiners, as described in section 183.21 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; and (4) any other stakeholder determined relevant by the task group, including any stakeholders described in section 411(d)(3)(B) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. (c) Report requirements Section 411(d)(4) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 ( Public Law 118–63 ) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (B) by striking and at the end; (2) in subparagraph (C) by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (D) a review and evaluation of any recommendations reached by the National Transportation Safety Board related to aviation workforce mental health; and (E) a description of relevant clinical studies, research, diagnostic manuals, and protocols used by the licensed professionals as of the date of enactment of this Act. . 3. Annual review of mental health special issuance process The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall conduct an annual review, and update, as appropriate, the applicable regulations and policies, on mental health-related special issuance for pilots and air traffic controllers to— (1) reclassify and approve additional medications that may be safely prescribed to airmen to treat mental health conditions; (2) improve mental health knowledge and training for aviation medical examiners; (3) if the Administrator determines appropriate, delegate additional authority to aviation medical examiners consistent with the recommendation of the Mental Health Aviation Rulemaking Committee described in section 5; and (4) improve the special issuance process for pilots and air traffic controllers. 4. Authorization of appropriation for additional aviation medical examiners There is authorized to be appropriated $13,740,000 to the Administrator for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029 to— (1) recruit, select, train, and delegate the necessary authorities to additional aviation medical examiners and human intervention motivation study aviation medical examiners, including those who are psychiatrists; (2) expand capacity to provide oversight of aviation medical examiners and clear the backlog of special issuance requests and cases awaiting review at the Office of Aerospace Medicine; and (3) support any other related activities, as determined by the Administrator. 5. Implementation of aviation rulemaking committee recommendations (a) In general Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall implement the recommendations of the Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee which were submitted to the Administrator on April 1, 2024. (b) Consultation Subject to section 2, the Administrator shall consult with parties in the implementation described in subsection (a). 6. Public information campaign (a) In general There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029 for a public information campaign or similar public education efforts to destigmatize individuals in (or interested in joining) the aviation industry who seek mental health care, to broaden awareness of available supportive services, and establish trust with pilots and air traffic controllers. (b) Report Not later than 1 year after the Administrator creates the public information campaign described in subsection (a), the Administrator shall submit to appropriate committees of Congress a report describing the actions taken to develop such campaign and the plans for implementation. 7. Definitions In this Act: (1) Appropriate committees of Congress The term appropriate committees of Congress means— (A) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; and (B) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate. (2) Special issuance The term special issuance has the meaning given the term in section 67.401 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.