WASHINGTON, D.C. — H.R. 2591, the Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation backed by U.S. Congressman Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.), passed the House this evening. The bill would update Federal Aviation Administration regulations to destigmatize mental health care among airline pilots and air traffic controllers and encourage them to seek treatment.
“The safety of our skies depends on the wellbeing of the people who keep them running. But for years, our aviation industry has suffered from staffing shortages that have left air traffic controllers and pilots overworked and undersupported,” said Stanton. “Our Mental Health in Aviation Act is about breaking down stigma and ensuring pilots and aviation professionals can access the care they need.”
As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Stanton has also led bipartisan legislation to strengthen air safety by tackling the nation’s air traffic controller staffing shortage and investing in the future of American aviation.
Pilots and air traffic controllers who seek mental health care are unfairly penalized by a system that perpetuates a culture of silence. Currently, aviation professionals are mandated to report if they seek mental health care. Once they take that step, they are faced with overbroad regulation in the process of returning to work. This causes relatively minor mental health concerns to be met with delays and confusion, long wait times and sometimes derailed careers for safe and well-trained pilots and air traffic controllers.
The Mental Health in Aviation Act requires the FAA to take the following steps:
Regulations for Individuals Carrying Out Aviation Activities
-
To the extent practicable and in consultation with stakeholders, implement the recommendations of the ARC within two years. Provide explanation to Congress if the FAA chooses not to implement any recommendation.
-
Report to Congress on its plans to implement recommendations to improve pilot mental health care from the National Transportation Safety Board, and a description of relevant clinical studies, manuals, and other protocols.
Annual Review of Mental Health Special Issuance Process
-
Annually review and update process related to mental health-related special issuance for pilots and air traffic controllers to: reclassify and approve the use of additional medications, improve mental health knowledge and training to Aviation Medical Examiners, as appropriate defer additional authority to Aviation Medical Examiners, and improve the special issuance process; and report to congress.
Authorization of Appropriation for Additional Medical Examiners
-
Authorizes $13.74 M for each of the next three years to recruit and train additional Aviation Medical Examiners and fund and expand capacity in the Flight Surgeon’s Office.
Public Information Campaign
-
Authorizes $1.5M for each of the next three years to destigmatize mental health care among aviators, and make pilots and air traffic controllers aware of available services to help.
-
Report to Congress.
Text of the Mental Health in Aviation Act can be found HERE.