Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025

Bill Number: H.R. 2591
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Transportation and Public Works
Status: Passed House
Latest Action: 2025-09-09: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Last Updated: 2026-07-11T02:43:22Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 aims to promote mental health awareness and support within the aviation industry by updating Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. It encourages pilots, air traffic controllers, and other aviation professionals to seek and disclose mental health conditions without fear of severe professional consequences, while improving related processes, training, and resources to maintain safety.

Key Provisions

Regulatory Updates (Section 2): The FAA Administrator must revise regulations (including those in part 67 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, which cover medical standards for airmen) within 2 years to foster seeking help for mental health issues and voluntary disclosure. This includes amendments to the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 to expand a task group's report requirements, adding reviews of National Transportation Safety Board recommendations on aviation mental health and descriptions of clinical studies or protocols used by medical professionals. The task group must also consult with aviation and medical stakeholders, such as unions for air traffic controllers and pilots, aviation medical examiners (doctors authorized to perform FAA medical exams), and others.

Implementation of Task Group Recommendations (Section 2(c)): Within 180 days of receiving the task group's report, the FAA must implement mental health-related recommendations. If any are not adopted, the FAA must justify the decision to congressional committees.

Annual Review of Special Issuance Process (Section 3): The FAA must annually review and update rules, policies, and guidance on "special issuance" (a process allowing pilots or air traffic controllers with certain medical conditions to receive conditional medical certification). Updates may include approving more safe medications for mental health treatment, enhancing training for aviation medical examiners on mental health, delegating more authority to these examiners (if recommended), and streamlining the process overall.

Funding for Additional Medical Examiners (Section 4): Allocates $13,740,000 annually from 2026 through 2028 to hire, train, and empower more aviation medical examiners (including psychiatrists), oversee their work, clear backlogs in special issuance reviews at the FAA's Office of Aerospace Medicine, and support related activities.

Implementation of Rulemaking Committee Recommendations (Section 5): Within 2 years, the FAA must implement, as much as possible, recommendations from the Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee (submitted April 1, 2024). This requires consultation with specified stakeholders, and any non-implementation must be justified to Congress.

Public Information Campaign (Section 6): Allocates $1,500,000 annually from 2026 through 2028 for a campaign to reduce stigma around mental health care in aviation, raise awareness of support services, and build trust among pilots and air traffic controllers. The FAA must report to Congress within 1 year on campaign development and plans.

Definitions (Section 7): Clarifies terms like "appropriate committees of Congress" (House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee) and "special issuance" (as defined in FAA regulations).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Amends the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 by expanding the scope of a mental health task group's consultations and report to include more stakeholders (e.g., pilot unions, medical examiners) and elements (e.g., safety board reviews, clinical protocols).
Introduces mandatory timelines for FAA actions, such as 2-year deadlines for regulatory updates and rulemaking implementations, which were not previously required.
Authorizes new funding streams specifically for mental health initiatives in aviation, including dedicated budgets for medical examiners and public campaigns, without prior equivalents.
Mandates annual reviews and potential delegations of authority in the special issuance process, shifting from static regulations to ongoing, adaptive updates.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: The FAA will face increased administrative burdens, including regulatory revisions, annual reviews, consultations, and backlog reductions, but gains resources through new funding to hire and train staff. This could improve efficiency in medical certifications and oversight.
On Citizens: Aviation professionals (e.g., pilots, air traffic controllers) may experience reduced barriers to mental health care, potentially leading to better personal well-being and a more supportive work environment. The public campaign could broaden access to information for those entering or in the industry.
On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though enhanced U.S. aviation safety standards via better mental health protocols could indirectly influence global aviation norms or bilateral agreements on air travel safety.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Aviation Professionals: Pilots and air traffic controllers, who benefit from easier disclosure and treatment processes but must navigate updated certification rules.
Medical Community: Aviation medical examiners and psychiatrists, who receive expanded training, authority, and hiring opportunities.
Labor Representatives: Unions for air traffic controllers (certified under federal labor law) and airline pilots, involved in consultations and advocacy.
FAA and Government: The FAA Administrator, Office of Aerospace Medicine, and congressional oversight committees, responsible for implementation and reporting.
Industry Groups: Broader aviation stakeholders, including safety boards and rulemaking committees, influencing policy through recommendations.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Strengthens FAA regulatory flexibility by mandating updates to medical standards and special issuance processes, potentially reducing litigation over denials of certifications. Requires justifications for non-implementation, promoting transparency and accountability under administrative law.
Constitutional: No direct challenges; aligns with Congress's authority to regulate interstate commerce and aviation safety under the Commerce Clause.
Political: Addresses growing concerns about mental health stigma in high-stakes industries, potentially fostering bipartisan support for workforce wellness. By tying actions to existing committees and reports, it builds on prior legislation (e.g., 2024 Reauthorization), emphasizing safety without mandating controversial overhauls.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6]

Cosponsors (43)

Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8], Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2], Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Del. King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [R-MP-At Large], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-2], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7], Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6], Rep. Ryan, Patrick [D-NY-18], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22], Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Turner, Michael R. [R-OH-10], Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. Knott, Brad [R-NC-13], Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Wied, Tony [R-WI-8], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1], Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4], Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2]

Recent Actions

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

Bill Versions

Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-08 — PDF (10 pages)
Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 — issued 2025-04-02 — PDF (6 pages)
Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-09 — PDF (8 pages)
Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-08 — PDF (10 pages)