Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025
Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 - Summary **What It Does:** This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to review and modernize its rules about mental health for pilots and air traffic controllers. Specifically, the FAA would need to implement recommendations from two groups that studied aviation workforce mental health, and annually review regulations about which medications pilots and controllers can safely take while working. The bill aims to make it easier for aviation professionals with mental health conditions to obtain or keep their medical certifications, while ensuring safety standards are maintained. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects commercial and private pilots, as well as air traffic controllers who need FAA medical clearances to work. It could also indirectly affect airline passengers and the flying public if it changes how mental health conditions are evaluated for safety.
The FAA and Department of Transportation would be responsible for implementing the changes. **Current Status:** The bill has passed the House of Representatives. It now moves to the Senate for consideration. The bill reflects a broader push to reduce stigma around mental health in safety-sensitive jobs while ensuring that aviation safety standards remain strong.
CRS Official Summary
Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025This bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to review and update its regulations and policies on mental health for pilots and air traffic controllers.The FAA must update regulations and take any other actions necessary to implement the recommendations of (1) the Aviation Workforce Mental Health Task Group, and (2) the Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee (the ARC).The FAA must also annually review and update, as appropriate, the applicable regulations and policies on mental health-related special issuance for pilots and air traffic controllers. As background, an Authorization for Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate is a discretionary document from the FAA which allows an airman with a disqualifying medical condition to fly under a restricted medical certificate.Among other things, the review and update mustreclassify and approve additional medications that may be safely prescribed to airmen to treat mental health conditions,delegate additional authority to aviation medical examiners (AMEs) consistent with the ARC recommendations, andimprove the special issuance process for pilots and air traffic controllers. The bill authorizes the FAA to take actions to recruit and train additional AMEs.The bill also authorizes an FAA public information campaign or education efforts to (1) destigmatize individuals in (or interested in joining) the aviation industry who seek mental health care, (2) broaden awareness of available supportive services, and (3) establish trust with pilots and air traffic controllers.
Latest Action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.