East Twin Cities

The House of Representatives has passed the Mental Health in Aviation Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Representatives Pete Stauber (MN-08) and Sean Casten (IL-06). The legislation aims to improve access to mental health care for aviation professionals.

“Flying remains one of the safest forms of transportation but maintaining that safety means taking care of the people who make it possible,” said Congressman Pete Stauber. “Unfortunately, current Federal Aviation Administration regulations prevent aviation professionals from seeking mental health care by imposing unfair penalties on those who do. This creates a dangerous culture of silence and stigma. The Mental Health in Aviation Act will break down these barriers and support the mental health of our aviation workforce. I am proud to see it pass the House today, and I look forward to working with Rep. Casten to ensure it reaches the President’s desk."

“Aviators should not be unfairly penalized for seeking mental health care. The current system perpetuates a culture of silence, and it’s past time that changes,” said Congressman Sean Casten. “The Mental Health in Aviation Act makes our skies safer by ensuring pilots and air traffic controllers can access mental health care, should they need it. I’m incredibly proud to see this legislation pass the House of Representatives, and I will continue working with Congressman Stauber to get it through the Senate and signed into law.”

Current FAA regulations require aviation workers who seek mental health treatment to report their actions, which can lead to delays before returning to work due to regulatory procedures.

In December 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration established a committee called the Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) tasked with identifying barriers preventing aviators from accessing mental healthcare. The ARC produced 24 recommendations aimed at reducing these obstacles.

Under the new act, the FAA would have two years to revise its regulations based on ARC's recommendations, encourage voluntary disclosure and treatment for mental health issues among aviation professionals, and provide funding for additional training for aviation medical examiners including psychiatrists.

The bill is supported by organizations such as the Pilot Mental Health Campaign, Air Line Pilots Association, Airlines for America, National Air Traffic Controllers Association, National Flight Training Alliance, National Business Aviation Association, NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP), and Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA).

Pete Stauber currently represents Minnesota’s 8th district in Congress after replacing Rick Nolan in 2019; he previously served on the St. Louis County Commission from 2013 until his election to Congress. Stauber was born in Duluth in 1966 and resides in Hermantown. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Lake Superior State University in 1990.