H.R. 2591 · Passed House · Transportation and Public Works

Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025

What it does

Requires the FAA to review and update regulations and policies on mental health for pilots and air traffic controllers based on recommendations from the Aviation Workforce Mental Health Task Group and the Mental Health a
Mandates annual FAA review and updates to regulations and policies on mental health-related special issuance for pilots and air traffic controllers.
Authorizes the FAA to reclassify and approve additional medications for treating mental health conditions in airmen, delegate authority to aviation medical examiners, and improve the special issuance process.
Authorizes the FAA to recruit and train additional aviation medical examiners and conduct public information campaigns to destigmatize mental health treatment in the aviation industry.

Official summary

Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 This 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 must reclassify 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, and improve the special issuance process for…

Latest action

Sep 9, 2025: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation