Applaud Mental Health Legislation for Aviation Workers

The Senate has unanimously passed two bipartisan bills aimed at reducing barriers that pilots and air traffic controllers can face when seeking mental health care and providing clearer information about medications they can safely use!

The John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act would require the Federal Aviation Administration to update its approach to mental health and medical certification, including measures designed to encourage pilots and air traffic controllers to seek treatment when needed. The legislation would also strengthen training for aviation medical examiners and require regular reviews of the FAA’s process for pilots and controllers with certain mental health conditions.

The bill is named for John A. Hauser, a University of North Dakota aviation student who died by suicide in 2021. His family has since worked with lawmakers and the university on efforts to address mental health and stigma within the aviation community.

The Senate also passed the Aviation Medication Transparency Act of 2026, which would require the FAA to publish and regularly update its list of medications used in determining medical certification for pilots and air traffic controllers. The measure is intended to give aviation professionals clearer information about medications and their potential implications for certification.

Add your name to applaud the Senate’s unanimous passage of bipartisan legislation aimed at reducing barriers to mental health care and improving medication transparency for pilots and air traffic controllers!