Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 · Referred in Senate (2025-09-09)

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

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.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES · September 9, 2025 · Committee: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

SEC. 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—
- seek help for mental health conditions or symptoms of mental health conditions; and
- disclose conditions or symptoms described in paragraph (1).

(b) Consultation; report requirements

Section 411(d) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 ( note(d)) is amended— 49 U.S.C. 44703
- in paragraph (4)—
  - in subparagraph (A) by striking and at the end;
  - in subparagraph (B) by striking and at the end;
  - in subparagraph (C) by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
    - a review and evaluation of any recommendations reached by the National Transportation Safety Board related to aviation workforce mental health; and
    - 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.
  - 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—
      - the certified exclusive bargaining representatives of air traffic controllers of the Administration certified under section 7111 of title 5, United States Code;
      - organizations representing certified collective bargaining representatives of airline pilots;
      - aviation medical examiners, as described in section 183.21 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; and
      - any other stakeholder determined relevant by the task group, including any stakeholders described in paragraph (3)(B).
- by adding at the end the following:

(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 ( note), the Administrator shall take such actions as are necessary to implement the mental health-related recommendations of such report. 49 U.S.C. 44703
(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.

SEC. 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—

reclassify and approve additional medications that may be safely prescribed to airmen to treat mental health conditions;
improve mental health knowledge and training for aviation medical examiners;
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
improve the special issuance process for pilots and air traffic controllers.

SEC. 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—

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;
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
support any other related activities, as the Administrator determines appropriate.

SEC. 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).

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.

SEC. 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.

H.R. 2591

Table of contents

SEC. 1. Short title

SEC. 2. Regulations for individuals carrying out aviation activities

SEC. 3. Annual review of mental health special issuance process

SEC. 4. Authorization of appropriation for additional aviation medical examiners

SEC. 5. Implementation of aviation rulemaking committee recommendations

SEC. 6. Public information campaign

SEC. 7. Definitions