Overview

• The House approved the measure by voice vote and referred it to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
• The legislation requires the FAA to revise medical certification regulations within two years to encourage voluntary disclosure and treatment for pilots and air traffic controllers.
• It directs the agency to implement recommendations from the FAA’s Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances ARC, including annual reviews of special issuances, expanded examiner training, and consideration of additional approved medications.
• The bill provides about $13.7 million per year to recruit and train more aviation medical examiners, including psychiatrists, and allocates $1.5 million annually for a public information campaign to reduce stigma.
• Major aviation groups including ALPA, AOPA, and NBAA praised the House action, echoing safety concerns highlighted by NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy about outdated policies that discourage honest reporting.