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RuleLabor DepartmentFederal Contract Compliance Programs OfficeSignificant Wallet
S3257119th CongressWALLET
John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act
Sponsored By: Senator Hoeven, John [R-ND]
Passed Senate
Summary
This bill would reform FAA rules to improve mental health care access and help-seeking among pilots and air traffic controllers.
Show full summary
- Pilots and air traffic controllers: Would update regulations to encourage voluntary disclosure of mental health concerns and require a rolling review of the special issuance medical clearance process, with annual reviews for the first 2 years and every 3 years after.
- Aviation medical examiners and the FAA's Office of Aerospace Medicine: Would add up to $15 million per year for 2026–2028 to recruit and train AMEs including psychiatrists, clear backlogs, bolster oversight, and consider expanded AME authority after enhanced training.
- Industry and public outreach: Would broaden stakeholder feedback, require review of National Transportation Safety Board recommendations, mandate task group recommendations be implemented within 2 years or require congressional justification, and run a 2026–2028 public campaign to destigmatize mental health care and share resources.
*Would increase federal spending by up to $15 million per year in 2026–2028 to expand Office of Aerospace Medicine capacity.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Easier mental-health clearances for pilots and controllers
Starting 180 days after the first required report, the FAA would review mental‑health special‑issuance rules. Reviews would run yearly for two years, then every three years. The FAA would consider allowing more safe medicines and treatments. Aviation medical examiners would get added mental‑health training. With that training, FAA would consider letting examiners issue certificates more often. The goal would be faster, clearer decisions for pilots and air traffic controllers.
Help-seeking rules and outreach for aviation workers
Within 18 months, the FAA would update medical rules (including part 67) and guidance to encourage help‑seeking and disclosure of mental‑health issues. For 2026–2028, the FAA would run a public campaign to reduce stigma and explain available services. The FAA would post clear information online and require postings at Aviation Medical Examiner offices. It would work with airlines, flight schools, and airports to share it. The FAA would brief Congress within 90 days of starting the campaign and report on feedback within 2 years.
More FAA medical examiners and training
For 2026–2028, the FAA would get up to $15 million each year to expand the Office of Aerospace Medicine. The money would hire and train more aviation medical examiners, including psychiatrists and HIMS examiners. It would expand oversight, clear backlogs in special‑issuance reviews, and fund added mental‑health training for examiners.
Faster, evidence-based FAA mental health reforms
The FAA would use broader stakeholder input on workforce mental health, including airlines, general aviation, pilot unions, controllers’ unions, accredited aviation schools, and part 141 flight schools. Task group reports would review any NTSB recommendations and list the studies and protocols used. The FAA would have up to 180 days to act on recommendations, or explain to Congress within 90 days. Separately, the FAA would implement the ARC’s April 1, 2024 recommendations within 2 years, using cited clinical evidence and, if needed, studies finished within 1 year.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Hoeven, John [R-ND]
ND • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
IL • D
Sponsored 11/20/2025
Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL]
AL • R
Sponsored 11/20/2025
Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
IL • D
Sponsored 11/20/2025
Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE]
NE • R
Sponsored 11/20/2025
Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO]
CO • D
Sponsored 11/20/2025
Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
AK • R
Sponsored 11/20/2025
Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
MN • D
Sponsored 11/20/2025
Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT]
UT • R
Sponsored 11/20/2025
Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
RI • D
Sponsored 11/20/2025
Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]
KS • R
Sponsored 11/20/2025
Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ]
NJ • D
Sponsored 11/20/2025
Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]
ID • R
Sponsored 12/1/2025
Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 12/1/2025
Sen. Moreno, Bernie [R-OH]
OH • R
Sponsored 12/4/2025
Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
NM • D
Sponsored 12/4/2025
Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
AK • R
Sponsored 1/6/2026
Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
WI • D
Sponsored 1/6/2026
Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
LA • R
Sponsored 2/9/2026
Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]
GA • D
Sponsored 2/9/2026
Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS]
MS • R
Sponsored 3/3/2026
Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
NH • D
Sponsored 3/3/2026
Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD]
SD • R
Sponsored 3/17/2026
Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ]
AZ • D
Sponsored 3/17/2026
Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID]
ID • R
Sponsored 3/23/2026
Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
DE • D
Sponsored 3/23/2026
Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
MT • R
Sponsored 5/11/2026
Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 5/11/2026
Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
LA • R
Sponsored 6/15/2026
Sen. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI]
MI • D
Sponsored 6/15/2026
Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 9/24/2026
Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
NJ • D
Sponsored 9/24/2026
Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ]
AZ • D
Sponsored 9/24/2026
Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
CO • D
Sponsored 9/24/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov