Writer

Amy Wilder

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2591/text">Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 (H.R. 2591)</a>, a bipartisan bill intended to modernize FAA medical certification rules and improve pilot access to mental health care.
Introduced by Reps. Sean Casten (D-Illinois) and Pete Stauber (R-Minnesota), the legislation requires the FAA to revise disclosure regulations, encourage voluntary reporting, expand treatment options, and conduct annual reviews of the special issuance aeromedical certification process. It also calls for a multi-year public information campaign to reduce stigma, raise awareness of services, and build trust with pilots and air traffic controllers.
The measure authorizes nearly $14 million annually through 2028 to recruit and train more aviation medical examiners, including psychiatrists, which the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) applauded. The bill permits the FAA to spend close to $40 million over three years on programs designed to destigmatize mental health care and implement recommendations from the FAA’s 2024 Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Rulemaking Committee, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) noted. Both associations served on the committee.
“I commend Representatives Casten and Stauber for their leadership on this issue. For too long, pilots have lived with the fear of seeking treatment for a mental health concern,” said AOPA president and CEO Darren Pleasance.
NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen emphasized that “it is vital that we foster an environment where pilots can seek help without fear of professional repercussions while also enhancing the safety of the traveling public.” Bolen also thanked co-sponsors Rick Larsen (D-Washington), Tracey Mann (R-Kansas), and Stauber for their support, noting that 37 additional lawmakers signed on ahead of the vote.
The legislation now advances to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

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