Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025
Congress Proposes New Rules to Help Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers Get Mental Health Care Without Losing Jobs
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.
Stalled
No legislative action in over 90 days.
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill requires the FAA to update its rules to encourage pilots and air traffic controllers to seek help for mental health issues. Currently, many aviation workers fear they will lose their licenses or be grounded if they admit to having a condition like depression or anxiety.
- The FAA would be required to review which medications and treatments are safe for aviation workers to use. This change aims to allow more people to stay on the job or return to work sooner while receiving the medical care they need.
- The government would provide up to $15 million each year through 2029 to hire more medical experts and clear the backlog of mental health reviews. This is intended to speed up the process for workers waiting for the FAA to clear them for duty.
- A new $1.5 million annual public awareness campaign would be launched to remove the shame around mental health in the aviation industry. The goal is to build trust between workers and the FAA so that people feel safe reporting their concerns without fear of being punished.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Life & Work
The bill specifically includes air traffic controller unions and airline pilot collective bargaining representatives as stakeholders who must be consulted in developing new mental health policies. This gives unions a direct seat at the table in shaping how mental health care is handled in aviation, ensuring worker perspectives are included in rule changes.
Disabilities
Milestones
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
3 articlesMental Health Reform Bill Sees Senate Introduction
Senators John Hoeven and Tammy Duckworth introduced the Mental Health in Aviation Act to reform FAA regulations, allocating $15 million annually through 2029 for medical examiner expansion and $1.5 million for a public campaign to destigmatize mental healthcare.
Mental Health in Aviation Act Introduced in Senate
The bipartisan legislation is designed to update the FAA's approach to mental health and medical certification for pilots and air traffic controllers. Key provisions include requiring the FAA to update medical guidance and allocate significant annual funding for mental health specialists.
Mental Health in Aviation Act Clears U.S. House
The act would require the FAA to revise its regulations to encourage aviation workers to voluntarily disclose a mental health diagnosis. It allocates funding through 2029 to recruit and train more aviation medical examiners, including psychiatrists.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
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.
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
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