U.S. House Passes Aviation Mental Health Reform Bill

The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the bipartisan Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025, sponsored by Representatives Pete Stauber and Sean Casten, aimed at reforming mental health regulations for pilots and air traffic controllers. The bill seeks to remove barriers that discourage aviation professionals from seeking mental health care by requiring the FAA to revise its rules to encourage voluntary mental health disclosures and implement 24 recommendations from the Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Rulemaking Committee within two years. It allocates $13.7 million annually through 2029 to recruit and train more aviation medical examiners, including psychiatrists, and funds public education campaigns to destigmatize mental health care in the aviation community. The legislation responds to longstanding concerns that current FAA policies create a culture of silence and fear, as pilots must self-disclose mental health conditions or risk jeopardizing their careers. The bill has received praise from aviation unions like the Air Line Pilots Association and industry groups such as the National Business Aviation Association for advancing aviation safety and supporting worker well-being. The measure now moves to the Senate for further consideration.