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US House Passes Pilot Mental Health Bill
On September 8, 2025 the US House passed H.R.2591 to modernize pilot mental health rules and reduce stigma for aircrew and controllers.
The bipartisan Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 (H.R.2591) cleared the US House of Representatives on September 8, 2025, sending the measure to the Senate for consideration. The bill asks the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to update medical-certification rules so pilots and air traffic controllers can seek care without fear of automatic disqualification.
Key language in H.R.2591 directs the FAA to revise existing regulations and to boost funding and training for Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs). AMEs are the doctors who perform routine medical certification for pilots; the bill aims to make their resources match modern mental-health standards.
Industry groups and safety advocates praised the move as a pragmatic effort to break down stigma and encourage early treatment — steps supporters say will improve safety for crews and passengers alike.
Pilot mental health: what the bill does
While H.R.2591 does not rewrite every FAA policy, it creates a clear mandate for regulatory review and targeted investment. Lawmakers framed the changes as both a health priority and a safety measure, emphasizing confidentiality, improved AME support, and clearer pathways to return-to-duty for those who seek help.
- Prioritizes pilot mental health by directing the FAA to update medical-certification rules.
- Increases funding and training for Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs) to reflect modern mental-health care.
- Aims to reduce stigma so pilots and air traffic controllers can access treatment and maintain safe operations.
The next step is Senate consideration; if approved there and signed by the President, the measures would move into implementation through the FAA rulemaking process and associated agency funding decisions.
