April 2, 2025
Mr. Casten (for himself, Mr. Stauber, Mr. Larsen of Washington, and Mr. Mann) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
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.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. Regulations for individuals carrying out aviation activities
(a) In general
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall update regulations, including in part 67 of title 14 of Code of Federal Regulations, as appropriate, and take any other actions necessary to implement the recommendations of the aviation workforce mental health task group established under section 411(d) the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 to encourage individuals to—
(1)
seek help for mental health conditions or symptoms of mental health conditions; and
(2)
to disclose conditions or symptoms described in paragraph (1).
(b) Consultation
In carrying out this section, the task group described in subsection (a) shall consult with relevant stakeholders from the aviation and medical communities, as necessary, including—
(1)
the certified exclusive bargaining representatives of air traffic controllers of the Administration certified under section 7111 of title 5, United States Code;
(2)
the principal organization representing the largest certified collective bargaining representative of airline pilots;
(3)
aviation medical examiners, as described in section 183.21 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; and
(4)
any other stakeholder determined relevant by the task group, including any stakeholders described in section 411(d)(3)(B) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.
(c) Report requirements
Section 411(d)(4) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 (Public Law 118–63) is amended—
(1)
in subparagraph (B) by striking and
at the end;
(2)
in subparagraph (C) by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following:
(D)
a review and evaluation of any recommendations reached by the National Transportation Safety Board related to aviation workforce mental health; and
(E)
a description of relevant clinical studies, research, diagnostic manuals, and protocols used by the licensed professionals as of the date of enactment of this Act.
Sec. 3. Annual review of mental health special issuance process
The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall conduct an annual review, and update, as appropriate, the applicable regulations and policies, on mental health-related special issuance for pilots and air traffic controllers to—
(1)
reclassify and approve additional medications that may be safely prescribed to airmen to treat mental health conditions;
(2)
improve mental health knowledge and training for aviation medical examiners;
(3)
if the Administrator determines appropriate, delegate additional authority to aviation medical examiners consistent with the recommendation of the Mental Health Aviation Rulemaking Committee described in section 5; and
(4)
improve the special issuance process for pilots and air traffic controllers.
Sec. 4. Authorization of appropriation for additional aviation medical examiners
There is authorized to be appropriated $13,740,000 to the Administrator for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029 to—
(1)
recruit, select, train, and delegate the necessary authorities to additional aviation medical examiners and human intervention motivation study aviation medical examiners, including those who are psychiatrists;
(2)
expand capacity to provide oversight of aviation medical examiners and clear the backlog of special issuance requests and cases awaiting review at the Office of Aerospace Medicine; and
(3)
support any other related activities, as determined by the Administrator.
Sec. 5. Implementation of aviation rulemaking committee recommendations
(a) In general
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall implement the recommendations of the Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee which were submitted to the Administrator on April 1, 2024.
(b) Consultation
Subject to section 2, the Administrator shall consult with parties in the implementation described in subsection (a).
Sec. 6. Public information campaign
(a) In general
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029 for a public information campaign or similar public education efforts to destigmatize individuals in (or interested in joining) the aviation industry who seek mental health care, to broaden awareness of available supportive services, and establish trust with pilots and air traffic controllers.
(b) Report
Not later than 1 year after the Administrator creates the public information campaign described in subsection (a), the Administrator shall submit to appropriate committees of Congress a report describing the actions taken to develop such campaign and the plans for implementation.
Sec. 7. Definitions
In this Act:
(1) Appropriate committees of Congress
The term appropriate committees of Congress means—
(A)
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; and
(B)
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
(2) Special issuance
The term special issuance has the meaning given the term in section 67.401 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.