Mental Health in Aviation Act

Full Title:
Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025

Summary#

This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to update rules and practices about mental health for people who carry out aviation work. The FAA must, within 2 years, revise regulations (including parts of 14 CFR part 67) to encourage people to seek help for mental health conditions and to disclose those conditions or symptoms. The bill requires the FAA to consult with aviation and medical stakeholders, including air traffic controllers' bargaining representatives, major airline pilot organizations, and aviation medical examiners. It also adds to an existing task group report requirements to include a review of relevant National Transportation Safety Board recommendations and descriptions of clinical studies, research, diagnostic manuals, and protocols used by licensed professionals.

The FAA must do an annual review of mental-health-related "special issuance" processes for pilots and air traffic controllers. The review should consider reclassifying and approving more medications, improving training for aviation medical examiners (AMEs), possibly delegating more authority to AMEs, and improving the special issuance process.

The bill authorizes hiring and training additional AMEs and psychiatrists, directs the FAA to implement recommendations submitted on April 1, 2024 by the Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee within 2 years, and funds a public information campaign to destigmatize seeking mental health care in aviation. It defines relevant terms and names the congressional committees to receive reports.

What it means for you#

  • Pilots and air traffic controllers: The FAA will review and may change how mental health conditions and certain medications are handled in medical certification. This could include changes to the special issuance process and what medications are acceptable.
  • Aviation medical examiners (AMEs): The FAA may get more AMEs, provide more training, and could delegate additional authority to AMEs if the FAA decides it is appropriate.
  • Aviation employers and unions: Will be included in consultation for rule changes and task-group work.
  • General public and aviation workforce: The FAA will run a public information campaign aimed at reducing stigma and raising awareness of support services.

Expenses#

  • The bill authorizes $13,740,000 to the FAA for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029 to recruit, train, and delegate authorities to additional AMEs, expand oversight capacity, and address special issuance backlogs.
  • The bill also authorizes $1,500,000 to the FAA for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029 for a public information campaign to destigmatize mental health care in aviation.
  • Total authorized across those years: $54,960,000 for AME-related activities and $6,000,000 for the public information campaign.
  • No publicly available information on broader budgetary impacts or official cost estimates beyond these authorizations.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.