The John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2026

The John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act, introduced by Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), aims to improve aviation safety by ensuring pilots and air traffic controllers can access mental health care without fear of professional repercussions. The Act reduces bureaucratic delays and overregulation that can create a dangerous culture of silence and stigma.

Under current FAA regulations, aviation professionals are required to disclose mental health treatment. Once disclosed, they can face prolonged uncertainty, delays, and sweeping requirements to maintain their medical certification — often sidelining even those with minor or well-managed conditions. The FAA also has very limited psychiatric staff to handle pilot mental health evaluations, resulting in a significant backlog of special issuance applications.

In 2023, the FAA convened the Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC), which delivered 24 targeted recommendations to remove unnecessary obstacles to care while upholding safety standards. This Act builds on those recommendations.

Key provisions of the Act:

Modernize Mental Health Regulations for Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers

• Directs the FAA to revise regulations based on recommendations from its mental health task group (established in the FAA Reauthorization of 2024) to encourage early disclosure and treatment without fear of losing one's career.
• Requires the FAA to consult with a broad range of stakeholders, including academic institutions and mental health professionals, to ensure policies reflect current clinical standards and workforce realities.

Review of Mental Health Special Issuance Process

• Requires the FAA to review and update the special issuance process for medical certificates.
• Requires review of medication classification and improved mental health training for Aviation Medical Examiners.

Improving Capacity for the FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine

• Allocates $15 million annually (FY2026–FY2029) to recruit and train additional AMEs and HIMS-trained AMEs, including psychiatrists.

Public Information Campaign

• Authorizes a public campaign to reduce stigma around mental health care in aviation and encourage pilots and controllers to seek treatment.

The legislation is backed by major industry groups including Airlines for America (A4A), the Regional Airline Association (RAA), the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS), the National Flight Training Alliance, NJASAP, SWAPA, the Allied Pilots Association (APA), CAPA, and the Pilots Mental Health Campaign (PMHC).

For more information, contact Tyler Hardy at tyler_hardy@hoeven.senate.gov or Stephanie DeLuca at stephanie_deluca@duckworth.senate.gov.