September 08, 2025

Casten’s Bipartisan Pilot Mental Health Bill Passes House

Washington, D.C. — Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Congressman Sean Casten’s bipartisan Mental Health in Aviation Act, legislation that would expand access to mental health care for pilots and air traffic controllers. Rep. Casten introduced the legislation in April 2025 with Republican Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08).

“Aviators should not be unfairly penalized for seeking mental health care. The current system perpetuates a culture of silence, and it’s past time that changes,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “The Mental Health in Aviation Act makes our skies safer by ensuring pilots and air traffic controllers can access mental health care, should they need it. I’m incredibly proud to see this legislation pass the House of Representatives, and I will continue working with Congressman Stauber to get it through the Senate and signed into law.”

“Flying remains one of the safest forms of transportation but maintaining that safety means taking care of the people who make it possible,” said Congressman Stauber. “Unfortunately, current Federal Aviation Administration regulations prevent aviation professionals from seeking mental health care by imposing unfair penalties on those who do. This creates a dangerous culture of silence and stigma. The Mental Health in Aviation Act will break down these barriers and better support the mental health of our aviation workforce. I am proud to see it pass the House today, and I look forward to working with Rep. Casten to ensure it reaches the President’s desk.

The Mental Health in Aviation Act now awaits action in the Senate.

Currently, pilots and air traffic controllers who seek mental health care are unfairly penalized by a system that perpetuates a culture of silence. While aviation professionals are mandated to report if they seek mental health care, once they take that step, they are faced with delays, confusion, and overbroad regulation in the process of returning to work. This often means that relatively minor mental health concerns result in long wait times and derailed careers for safe and well-trained pilots and air traffic controllers.

In December 2023, the FAA recognized the need to reform its current policies and established a committee to identify barriers to mental health care for aviators and present recommendations to the FAA to address these challenges. The committee coalesced around a list of 24 recommendations to eliminate some of the main barriers to care.

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 from existing funding 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.

Rep. Casten began working on the issue following local families approaching him with stories of losing adult children in flight school to suicide. In one case, the student pilot lamented how seeking mental health care could ruin his dreams of becoming a pilot.

The legislation is endorsed by the Pilot Mental Health Campaign, Air Line Pilots Association, Airlines for America, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, National Flight Training Alliance, the National Business Aviation Association, NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP), and the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association.

“The Pilot Mental Health Campaign is deeply grateful to Representatives Casten and Stauber for championing the Mental Health in Aviation Act,” said Chris Finlayson, Executive Director, Pilot Mental Health Campaign. “The passage of H.R. 2591 is a historic moment that would not have happened without their leadership, the tireless advocacy of PMHC, and our colleagues throughout the aviation industry. For years, PMHC has raised the alarm that a mental health crisis is sweeping through aviation. A crisis that threatens not only the well-being of pilots and air traffic controllers but also threatens the safety of our national airspace and the general public. Today, Congress has listened. This victory shows every pilot and air traffic controller that real change is not only possible, but that it is expected. There are still steps to take in this fight, but we are proud of this monumental step towards real change.”

“NBAA commends the House of Representatives for passing this critical legislation, which will not only improve safety, but also help eliminate the barriers that prevent pilots, air traffic controllers and others from seeking vital mental health care,” said National Business Aviation Association President and CEO Ed Bolen. “We urge the Senate to move forward with this important measure.”

“The National Air Traffic Controllers Association applauds the House passage of the Mental Health in Aviation Act and thanks the bill sponsors for their bipartisan leadership,” said NATCA President Nick Daniels. “Air traffic controllers who seek mental health care face serious obstacles to returning to work. The current system perpetuates a culture of silence and stigma that must be addressed. The Mental Health in Aviation Act would eliminate some of these barriers for aviation safety professionals and is a vital step toward ensuring the well-being of workers and the safety of the flying public.”

“ALPA applauds today’s passage of the Mental Health in Aviation Act. Introduced by Representatives Sean Casten (D-IL) and Pete Stauber (R-MN) and supported by Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA), we thanks this bipartisan leadership in securing House passage of this important legislation and urge the Senate to swiftly consider this bill for the benefit of our members and the flying public,” said Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) President Capt. John Ambrosi. “ALPA strongly supports this legislation that will help remove the stigma surrounding mental health treatment while ensuring that aviation safety remains paramount. The Mental Health in Aviation Act represents a crucial step forward in improving aviation safety and maintaining a healthy work environment for pilots. By implementing the recommendations of the Mental Health Aviation Rulemaking Committee, improving the special issuance process, and providing resources for additional aviation medical examiners, this bill acknowledges that a pilot's psychological wellbeing is just as important as their physical health.”

If you or someone you know is struggling, there are resources to help you. Call or text 988 to connect with a trained professional and receive support 24/7.

 

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