John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act | ChamberLight

PASSED SENATE· 119TH CONGRESS

Senate BillS 3257Aviation and airportsDepartment of Transportation

John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act

INTRO NOV 20· LAST ACTION SEP 24

READING

7MIN

COSPONSORS

33BIPARTISAN

READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL

NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST

Reported, not passed

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 4 / 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed Senate

Passed House

Conference

To President

Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

This bill matters because it addresses a critical issue of mental health stigma in a highly safety-sensitive industry. Currently, aviation professionals might hide mental health struggles or avoid seeking help due to fear of career repercussions, which could pose a safety risk. If this bill becomes law, it would aim to create a system where mental health is treated more like physical health – something to be managed and treated, not necessarily a career-ender.

By updating regulations to be more current with medical understanding, improving the training of medical examiners, and speeding up the review process, the bill could ensure that qualified individuals can continue working safely while getting the care they need. If it doesn't pass, the existing system, which some argue discourages disclosure and timely treatment, would likely remain, potentially increasing the risk of unaddressed mental health issues among aviation personnel.

KEY PROVISIONS

5AI-extracted

PROVISION 01

The FAA must update its regulations and guidance within two years to encourage aviation professionals to seek help for mental health conditions and disclose them.

This aims to reduce the stigma and fear associated with mental health in aviation, potentially leading to earlier intervention and better outcomes.

PROVISION 02

The bill designates up to $15 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2029 to improve the Office of Aerospace Medicine, including hiring more medical examiners and clearing the backlog of mental health special issuance requests.

This provides the necessary resources to process mental health-related medical certifications more efficiently and thoroughly.

PROVISION 03

The FAA is required to conduct annual reviews of the "special issuance" process for mental health, considering new medications and treatments, and enhancing mental health training for aviation medical examiners.

This ensures that the medical clearance process stays current with modern mental health care and improves the expertise of those making certification decisions.

PROVISION 04

The Administrator must implement recommendations from a special committee on Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances within two years.

This ensures that expert recommendations on improving mental health policies are actually put into practice.

PROVISION 05

The bill allocates up to $1.5 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2029 for a public information campaign to destigmatize mental health in aviation.

This directly targets the cultural barriers that prevent individuals from seeking help, fostering a more supportive environment.

SPONSORSHIP

1 + 33

COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 84%

DEM 19 REP 14 IND 0

ACTION TIMELINE

9 EVENTS

SEP 24

Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S5018-5019)

SENATE · FLOOR

SEP 24

Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S5018-5019)

SENATE · FLOOR

SEP 24

Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S5017-5019)

FLOOR

SEP 24

The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent.

FLOOR

BILL INFO

TypeSenate Bill

NumberS 3257

Congress119th

StatusPassed Senate

IntroducedNov 20, 2025

Last actionSep 24, 2026

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PASSED SENATE· 119TH CONGRESS · COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED NOV 20, 2025

Senate BillS 3257Aviation and airportsDepartment of Transportation

John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act

INTRODUCED NOV 20, 2025· LAST ACTION SEP 24, 2026

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

7 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 4 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed Senate

Passed House

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

The FAA must update its regulations and guidance within two years to encourage aviation professionals to seek help for mental health conditions and disclose them.

This aims to reduce the stigma and fear associated with mental health in aviation, potentially leading to earlier intervention and better outcomes.

high

This provides the necessary resources to process mental health-related medical certifications more efficiently and thoroughly.

med

This ensures that the medical clearance process stays current with modern mental health care and improves the expertise of those making certification decisions.

med

The Administrator must implement recommendations from a special committee on Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances within two years.

This ensures that expert recommendations on improving mental health policies are actually put into practice.

med

The bill allocates up to $1.5 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2029 for a public information campaign to destigmatize mental health in aviation.

This directly targets the cultural barriers that prevent individuals from seeking help, fostering a more supportive environment.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

Not later than 2 years after enactment

Administrator to update regulations and issue guidance to encourage mental health help/disclosure.

Not later than 180 days after enactment, and 180 days after submission of each subsequent report

Administrator to implement recommendations from reports required under Section 411(f) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.

Not later than 90 days after receiving the report

Administrator to submit justification to Congress for not implementing a report recommendation.

Beginning 180 days after the Administrator submits the first report pursuant to section 411(f) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, and annually thereafter

Annual review of the special issuance process, and update of regulations/policies.

Not later than 2 years after enactment

Administrator to implement recommendations of the Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee.

Not later than 90 days after the 2-year deadline described in subsection (a) of Section 6

Administrator to submit justification to Congress for not implementing a recommendation from the Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee.

FUNDING & AUTHORIZATIONS

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

AMOUNT	PROGRAM	TYPE	YEARS
15,000,000	Improving capacity for the Office of Aerospace Medicine (recruitment, training, backlog reduction, oversight)	discretionary	fiscal years 2026 through 2029
1,500,000	Public information campaign (destigmatize mental health)	discretionary	fiscal years 2026 through 2029

GLOSSARY

AI-written

FAA Administrator: The head official of the Federal Aviation Administration, responsible for overseeing air safety and air traffic control.
Special Issuance: A specific type of medical certificate granted by the FAA to an individual who does not meet standard medical requirements but is found to be safe to fly after additional evaluation and under specific conditions.
Aviation Medical Examiner (AME): A doctor designated by the FAA to perform medical examinations and issue medical certificates to pilots and air traffic controllers.
Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC): A group of government and industry experts convened by the FAA to provide advice and recommendations on specific aviation safety issues and potential new regulations.
Part 67 of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations: A specific set of rules within U.S. federal law that outlines the medical standards and certification procedures for airmen (pilots, air traffic controllers, etc.).
Destigmatize: To remove the shame or disgrace associated with something, in this case, seeking help for mental health conditions.

ACTION TIMELINE

9 EVENTS

SEP 24

Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S5018-5019)

FLOOR

SEP 24

Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S5018-5019)

FLOOR

SEP 24

Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S5017-5019)

FLOOR

SEP 24

The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent.

FLOOR

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MORE INFORMATION

Committee Referrals

Commerce, Science, and Transportation CommitteeReferred

Sep 14, 2026

senate

Related Hearings

Business meeting to consider S.1682, to direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to promulgate a consumer product safety standard for certain gates, S.1885, to require the Federal Trade Commission, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Health and Human Services acting through the Surgeon General, to implement a mental health warning label on covered platforms, S.1962, to amend the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 to prohibit the Federal Communications Commission from granting a license or United States market access for a geostationary orbit satellite system or a nongeostationary orbit satellite system, or an authorization to use an individually licensed earth station or a blanket-licensed earth station, if the license, grant of market access, or authorization would be held or controlled by an entity that produces or provides any covered communications equipment or service or an affiliate of such an entity, S.2378, to amend title 49, United States Code, to establish funds for investments in aviation security checkpoint technology, S.3257, to require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to revise regulations for certain individuals carrying out aviation activities who disclose a mental health diagnosis or condition, S.3404, to require a report on Federal support to the cybersecurity of commercial satellite systems, S.3597, to reauthorize the National Quantum Initiative Act, S.3618, to require the Federal Trade Commission to submit to Congress a report on the ability of minors to access fentanyl through social media platforms, S.3791, to reauthorize Regional Ocean Partnerships, and a promotion list in the Coast Guard.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee (senate)Mar 25, 2026

Video

Business meeting to consider S.1682, to direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to promulgate a consumer product safety standard for certain gates, S.1885, to require the Federal Trade Commission, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Health and Human Services acting through the Surgeon General, to implement a mental health warning label on covered platforms, S.1962, to amend the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 to prohibit the Federal Communications Commission from granting a license or United States market access for a geostationary orbit satellite system or a nongeostationary orbit satellite system, or an authorization to use an individually licensed earth station or a blanket-licensed earth station, if the license, grant of market access, or authorization would be held or controlled by an entity that produces or provides any covered communications equipment or service or an affiliate of such an entity, S.2378, to amend title 49, United States Code, to establish funds for investments in aviation security checkpoint technology, S.3257, to require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to revise regulations for certain individuals carrying out aviation activities who disclose a mental health diagnosis or condition, S.3404, to require a report on Federal support to the cybersecurity of commercial satellite systems, S.3597, to reauthorize the National Quantum Initiative Act, S.3618, to require the Federal Trade Commission to submit to Congress a report on the ability of minors to access fentanyl through social media platforms, S.3791, to reauthorize Regional Ocean Partnerships, and routine lists in the Coast Guard.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee (senate)Apr 14, 2026

Video

John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

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ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

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Discussion

John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

FUNDING & AUTHORIZATIONS

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

SPONSORS

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Discussion

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Committee Referrals

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In the News

Mental Health In Aviation Bill Passes Senate Committee

Mental Health In Aviation Bill Passes Senate Committee

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John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

SPONSORSHIP

ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

READER REACTIONS

Discussion

John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

FUNDING & AUTHORIZATIONS

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

SPONSORS

READER REACTIONS

What do you think?

Discussion

MORE INFORMATION

Committee Referrals

Amendments

Related Hearings

In the News

Mental Health In Aviation Bill Passes Senate Committee

Mental Health In Aviation Bill Passes Senate Committee