S. 3257: Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025, proposes several changes related to mental health regulations for individuals involved in aviation activities, such as pilots and air traffic controllers. The main objectives and components of the bill are as follows:

1. Revision of FAA Regulations

The bill requires the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to update existing regulations to:

• Encourage individuals to seek help for mental health conditions.
• Promote the disclosure of mental health conditions or symptoms.

2. Consultation and Reporting Requirements

The bill amends the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, specifying that the FAA must:

• Review recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board regarding mental health.
• Provide descriptions of relevant clinical studies and protocols used by licensed professionals.

3. Implementation Timeline

The FAA must take appropriate actions to implement recommendations from reports within 180 days of receiving them, providing justification if it chooses not to follow recommended actions.

4. Annual Review Process

Beginning 180 days after the first report is submitted under the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, an annual review of the FAA's special issuance process is mandated. This review aims to:

• Consider the reclassification of medications for treating mental health conditions.
• Enhance training for aviation medical examiners regarding mental health.
• Improve the special issuance process for pilots and air traffic controllers.

5. Increased Capacity for Aviation Medical Examiners

The bill allocates up to $15 million annually from 2026 to 2029 for:

• Recruitment and training of more aviation medical examiners.
• Clearing backlogs of special issuance requests.
• Providing enhanced mental health training for those examiners.

6. Implementation of Committee Recommendations

Within two years, the FAA is required to implement recommendations made by the Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee.

7. Public Information Campaign

The bill sets aside up to $1.5 million annually for public information campaigns aimed at:

• Destigmatizing the pursuit of mental health care in the aviation industry.
• Raising awareness about available support services.
• Building trust between the FAA and aviation personnel.

These campaigns will include information available online and at Aviation Medical Examiner offices, along with collaboration with various aviation stakeholders to ensure widespread accessibility of the information.

8. Congressional Briefings and Reports

The FAA must regularly brief Congress about the public information campaign and submit reports on its effectiveness within a specified timeframe.

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