What changed between these versions
A substantive amendment. v2 renames the bill to the "John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act" and significantly modifies several operative provisions. Key changes include shortening the timeline for regulation updates, making the implementation of task group recommendations discretionary, altering the frequency of special issuance reviews, and adding a validation requirement for specific Aviation Rulemaking Committee recommendations.
Overview
A handful of changes across multiple sections. · v2 primarily refines and clarifies the scope of certain mandates, introduces new requirements for validation, and adjusts timelines and funding periods, while also making some implementation discretionary.
The bill's short title was changed to the "John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act." The timeline for the Administrator to update regulations was shortened from 2 years to 18 months. A significant shift occurred in the implementation of task group recommendations, moving from a mandatory "shall implement" to a discretionary "may take action, as appropriate." Additionally, the review frequency for the special issuance process was adjusted, and a new requirement for validating specific Aviation Rulemaking Committee recommendations with clinical studies was added.
Major additions
This new subsection requires the Administrator to leverage and cite relevant clinical studies, research, diagnostic manuals, and protocols to inform recommendation 6 of the Mental Health & Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC). It also grants the Administrator the authority to commission studies to fill data gaps, with a deadline of 1 year after enactment for completion of such studies.
This addition introduces a new requirement for evidence-based validation for a specific ARC recommendation, potentially strengthening the scientific basis for future policy decisions related to mental health clearances. It ensures that any changes stemming from this recommendation are thoroughly supported by current medical and scientific understanding.
Deletions
v1 included the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate in the definition of "appropriate committees of Congress."
The removal of the Appropriations Committees from the definition of "appropriate committees of Congress" means these committees will no longer automatically receive reports or justifications required by the Act. This narrows the scope of congressional oversight for certain aspects of the bill's implementation.
v1 added a new paragraph (5) to Section 411(d) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, detailing specific stakeholders (including air traffic controller bargaining representatives, pilot organizations, and accredited higher education institutions) that the task group "shall consult with."
The explicit, detailed consultation requirement for the task group, previously a new addition in v1, was removed as a standalone paragraph. While similar consultation details were integrated into an existing paragraph in v2, the direct mandate for the task group to consult with these specific groups was deleted as a separate provision.
Modifications
This is a symbolic change, honoring an individual. It does not alter the operative provisions or legal effect of the bill.
Before
The Act was to be cited as the "Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025."
After
The Act is to be cited as the "John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act."
Accelerates the timeline for the FAA to revise regulations and issue guidance encouraging mental health disclosure, potentially leading to earlier implementation of supportive policies for aviation professionals.
Before
Required the Administrator to update regulations "Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment."
After
Requires the Administrator to update regulations "Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment."
The specific consultation requirements for the task group remain, but their placement within the existing framework of Section 411(d) is changed. The affected stakeholders (air traffic controllers, pilots, higher education institutions, etc.) will still be consulted.
Before
Amended Section 411(d) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 by adding a new paragraph (5) detailing specific consultation requirements for the task group with various aviation and medical stakeholders.
After
Amended Section 411(d) by striking subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) and inserting a new subparagraph (B) that incorporates the consultation details from v1's deleted paragraph (5) into the existing paragraph (3).
This change focuses the reporting on the specific materials the task group itself used, rather than a broader survey of what all licensed professionals might use, potentially streamlining the reporting process.
Before
Required a description of relevant clinical studies, research, diagnostic manuals, and protocols "used by the licensed professionals as of the date of the enactment of this subparagraph."
After
Requires a description of relevant clinical studies, research, diagnostic manuals, and protocols "relied upon by the task group in developing their recommendations."
This significantly reduces the Administrator's binding obligation to implement recommendations from reports, granting more flexibility and discretion in deciding which recommendations to adopt. This could slow down or alter the adoption of certain recommendations.
Before
Stated that the Administrator "shall take appropriate action to implement the recommendations" of reports.
After
States that the Administrator "may take action, as appropriate, to implement the recommendations" of reports.
After the first two years, the review frequency will decrease from annual to triennial, potentially reducing the regularity of updates to regulations, policies, and guidance related to mental health special issuances.
Before
Required an annual review of the special issuance process "annually thereafter."
After
Requires an annual review "annually for the 1st 2 years thereafter, and triennially thereafter."
Ensures that the enhanced training for aviation medical examiners is aligned with expert recommendations, potentially leading to more standardized and effective training programs.
Before
Aimed to "improve mental health knowledge and training for aviation medical examiners."
After
Aims to "provide enhanced mental health knowledge and training for aviation medical examiners, consistent with the recommendations of the Mental Health & Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee described in section 6."
This change makes the expansion of AME authority discretionary and conditional on specific training, potentially slowing down or limiting the increase in situations where AMEs can issue mental health-related certificates directly. It also emphasizes the importance of AME training for such expansions.
Before
Aimed to "expand mental-health related situations in which an aviation medical examiner may issue a certificate consistent with the recommendations of the Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Rulemaking Committee described in section 6."
After
Aims to "if the Administrator determines appropriate, consider expanding opportunities in which an aviation medical examiner may issue a certificate consistent with the recommendations of the Mental Health & Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee described in section 6, provided that such examiner has completed enhanced mental health training, as described in paragraph (2), to ensure such personnel have the requisite knowledge and ability to appropriately evaluate individuals for FAA medical certification."
Reduces the total period of dedicated funding for improving the Office of Aerospace Medicine's capacity by one year, potentially impacting long-term recruitment, training, and backlog clearance efforts.
Before
Designated funding for "fiscal years 2026 through 2029."
After
Designated funding for "fiscal years 2026 through 2028."
This is a minor clarification and stylistic change, providing more context and simplifying future references within the section.
Before
Referred to the "Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee."
After
Referred to the "Mental Health & Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee, which were submitted to the Administrator on April 1, 2024 (in this section referred to as the 'ARC')."
Ensures consistency in cross-referencing within the bill, maintaining the requirement for consultation with the specified stakeholders.
Before
Required consultation with stakeholders described in "section 411(d)(5) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 (as added by this Act)."
After
Required consultation with stakeholders described in "section 411(d)(3)(B) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 (as amended by this Act)."
This is a structural change with no operative impact on the requirement for justification.
Before
The justification for not implementing recommendations was in subsection (c).
After
The justification for not implementing recommendations was moved to subsection (d) due to the addition of a new subsection (c).
While the campaign remains mandated, the removal of specific funding amounts and sources provides the Administrator more flexibility in allocating resources, but also removes a dedicated funding floor. The shortened duration by one year means the campaign will run for a shorter period.
Before
Designated "not more than $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029" from a specific source for the campaign.
After
Stated that the Administrator "shall carry out a public information campaign or similar public education efforts to--" "For fiscal years 2026 through 2028."
Scope
Meaningful expansion or narrowing — Changes are scattered throughout the bill, affecting nearly every section from the short title to funding provisions. — v2 represents a meaningful refinement of policy direction. While maintaining the core purpose of addressing mental health in aviation, it introduces more administrative discretion in implementation, adjusts timelines, and adds specific validation requirements, shifting from more prescriptive mandates in v1. — The changes primarily affect the specific provisions modified, though the shift from mandatory to discretionary implementation for report recommendations in Section 3(c) could broadly impact the effectiveness of future task group reports. The updated cross-references ensure internal consistency.
Impact analysis
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Procedural change, gaining discretion.
Gained more discretion in implementing recommendations from reports (Section 3(c)) and in considering the expansion of AME issuance opportunities (Section 4(3)). Also has a shorter timeline for initial regulation updates (Section 3(a)).
Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs)
Procedural change, with potential for conditional expansion of duties.
Enhanced mental health training is now explicitly linked to ARC recommendations (Section 4(2)). Potential expansion of their certificate issuance authority is now conditional on completing this enhanced training and is at the Administrator's discretion (Section 4(3)).
Task Group under FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024
Procedural change, with reduced certainty of implementation.
The explicit, standalone mandate for consultation with specific stakeholders was removed, though the consultation details were integrated elsewhere (Section 3(b)). Their recommendations are now subject to discretionary implementation by the Administrator (Section 3(c)).
Congressional Appropriations Committees
Procedural change, narrowing oversight.
Removed from the definition of "appropriate committees of Congress" (Section 2(2)), meaning they will no longer automatically receive reports or justifications required by the Act.
Office of Aerospace Medicine of the FAA
Loss of funding duration.
The period for designated funding to improve capacity was shortened by one fiscal year (Section 5).
Public Information Campaign stakeholders (air carriers, flight training institutions, airports)
Procedural change, with potential for reduced campaign resources/duration.
The specific funding amount and source for the campaign were removed, and the duration of the campaign was shortened by one year (Section 7(a)).