Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- S. 3257
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-14: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-26T20:35:36Z
AI-Generated Summary
Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 (S. 3257)
Purpose
This legislation directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to update its rules and guidance on mental health for aviation professionals. The goal is to reduce barriers to seeking care, encourage voluntary disclosure of mental health conditions, and improve the medical certification process for pilots and air traffic controllers while maintaining safety standards.
Key Provisions
- Regulation Updates: Within two years of enactment, the FAA Administrator must revise rules (including those in 14 CFR Part 67) and issue guidance to promote mental health treatment and disclosure among individuals performing aviation duties.
- Amendments to Prior Law: Modifies Section 411 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 to expand task group reporting requirements (adding reviews of National Transportation Safety Board recommendations and clinical studies) and requires consultation with aviation unions, pilot organizations, accredited universities, and other stakeholders.
- Implementation of Recommendations: The Administrator must act on task group reports within 180 days and provide written justification to Congress if any recommendation is not followed.
- Annual Special Issuance Review: Beginning 180 days after the first required report, the FAA must annually review and update policies on mental health-related medical certificates ("special issuance" approvals), including reclassifying medications, improving examiner training, and potentially expanding cases where examiners can issue certificates without higher-level review.
- Funding for Office of Aerospace Medicine: Designates up to $15 million annually for fiscal years 2026–2029 to hire and train more aviation medical examiners (including psychiatrists), clear backlogs of special issuance cases, and enhance mental health training for examiners.
- Rulemaking Committee Implementation: Requires the FAA to implement recommendations from the Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee (submitted April 1, 2024) within two years, with stakeholder consultation and justification for any non-implemented items.
- Public Information Campaign: Allocates up to $1.5 million annually for 2026–2029 to run outreach efforts that reduce stigma around mental health care in aviation, publicize support resources, and build trust with the workforce. The campaign must include online materials, postings at medical examiner offices, and collaboration with airlines, flight schools, and airports. Congress must receive briefings and reports on the effort.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 (49 U.S.C. 44703 note) to broaden consultation and reporting obligations.
- Mandates updates to 14 CFR Part 67 and related FAA orders, policies, and guidance on mental health special issuances.
- Establishes new annual review and funding mechanisms not previously required by statute.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases workload and resources for the FAA’s Office of Aerospace Medicine, including expanded examiner hiring and case processing capacity.
- Citizens and Aviation Workforce: Aims to make it easier for pilots and air traffic controllers to access mental health care without automatic loss of certification, potentially improving workforce retention and safety.
- International Relations: No direct provisions affect foreign aviation authorities or treaties.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- FAA employees and aviation medical examiners.
- Pilots and air traffic controllers (including their unions and collective bargaining representatives).
- Airlines, flight training institutions, and airports.
- Congressional oversight committees (Transportation and Infrastructure; Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Appropriations).
- Individuals seeking FAA medical certification who have mental health histories.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The bill operates within the FAA’s existing regulatory authority under Title 49 of the U.S. Code and does not alter constitutional rights or create new private rights of action. It emphasizes voluntary disclosure and destigmatization while preserving safety-based medical standards. Implementation depends on annual appropriations and FAA administrative decisions, with built-in congressional reporting requirements for transparency.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (27)
Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL], Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL], Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL], Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE], Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO], Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK], Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN], Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT], Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI], Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS], Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ], Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID], Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR], Sen. Moreno, Bernie [R-OH], Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM], Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK], Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI], Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA], Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA], Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS], Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH], Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD], Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ], Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID], Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE], Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-14: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 2025-11-20: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 2025-11-20: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 — issued 2025-11-20 — PDF (10 pages)