AOPA Applauds Passage of Pilot Mental Health Bill by House
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) commends the House of Representatives for passing the Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025.
The bipartisan bill, H.R. 2591, was introduced by Reps. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) and Pete Stauber (R-Minn.). It directs the FAA to modernize its medical certification process to better support pilots and air traffic controllers who seek treatment.
Specifically, it would:
- Mandate the FAA to revise regulations to encourage voluntary disclosure of mental health conditions and treatment
- Require annual reviews of the special issuance process to expand treatment options and approved medications
- Provide nearly $14 million annually through 2028 to recruit and train more aviation medical examiners, including psychiatrists
- Launch a multi-year public information campaign to reduce stigma, raise awareness of available services and build trust with pilots and air traffic controllers
- Implement recommendations from the 2024 Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Rulemaking Committee.
AOPA served on the Mental Health Rulemaking Committee, which addressed the following issues:
- Aviation industry culture
- Stigma and lack of knowledge surrounding mental health treatment
- Mistrust in the aeromedical process
- Complications when obtaining a medical certificate
“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, “This bill takes meaningful steps to ensure pilots can prioritize their health and keep flying.”