Committee presses FAA to implement mental‑health reforms for pilots and controllers

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 2591, the Mental Health and Aviation Act, and agreed to report the bill favorably to the House.

The substitute requires the Federal Aviation Administration to implement recommendations from the Aviation Workforce Mental Health Task Group and the Aviation Rulemaking Committee on mental health and aviation medical clearances within two years or provide congressional justification for nonimplementation. The bill directs annual review and update of FAA mental‑health policies for pilots and controllers, authorizes funding to recruit and train additional aviation medical examiners with mental‑health expertise, and requires a public information campaign to destigmatize mental‑health care for aviation professionals.

Proponents said the change aims to reduce a culture of silence and the career‑ending delays that follow a mental‑health disclosure. Representative (Larson) described implementation of task force recommendations as necessary; Representative Stauber and others said pilots and controllers should not be deterred from seeking care. Representative Perry and another member said they would vote no, expressing concern about returning individuals to safety‑critical positions too soon.

The amendment in the nature of a substitute was adopted by voice vote and the bill was ordered favorably reported. Committee members noted endorsements from industry groups and urged timely FAA action.