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Bill Summary • S 4079

S 4079 – PEARL (Providing Emotional Assistance with Relief and Love) Act

Introduced: March 12, 2026 (Senate)

Sponsors: Rep. John Cornyn, Rep. David H. McCormick, Rep. Ruben Gallego, Rep. Mark Kelly

Committee Referral: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

Classified as: Bill

Purpose & Intent

The PEARL Act establishes a pilot program within the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency to adopt and train dogs from local animal shelters as support animals. The intent is to:

  • Enhance the well‑being of CBP personnel through emotional and psychological support.
  • Provide a structured pathway for shelter dogs to find purpose and improved welfare.
  • Serve as a model that could be expanded nationally if successful.

Key Provisions

Section Provision Details
Sec. 1 – Short Title Citation The Act may be referred to as the “Providing Emotional Assistance with Relief and Love Act” or the “PEARL Act.”
Sec. 2(a) – Establishment Pilot program Within 60 days of enactment, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the CBP Commissioner, must set up a CBP Support Dog Pilot Program.
Sec. 2(b) – Duration Program term The pilot lasts three years from its establishment, after which its continuation or termination will be reviewed.
Scope Participants Dogs will be adopted from local shelters; they will then be trained specifically for CBP emotional‑support roles.
Funding & Oversight Not explicitly detailed The bill delegates authority to CBP but does not prescribe budget allocations; funding mechanisms will be determined later.

Who Will Be Affected

Group Impact
CBP Personnel Potentially receive emotional‑support dogs that can reduce stress, improve mental health, and increase job satisfaction.
Local Animal Shelters Gain structured partnerships with a federal agency, potentially increasing adoption rates and providing dogs with specialized training.
Public/Taxpayers Indirect benefits through members of Congress who sponsor the bill; potential future expansion of the program could bring broader public safety and welfare gains.

Procedural & Timeline Aspects

  • Read Twice: Bill was read twice on March 12, 2026.
  • Committee Referral: Sent to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs for review and possible further action.
  • Implementation Window: The Secretary of Homeland Security must initiate the pilot within 60 days of the law’s enactment.
  • Pilot Term: A fixed three‑year duration allows evaluation of effectiveness before any permanent enactment or scaling.

Companion Legislation

  • HR 3965 (House) is listed as a companion; it likely contains a similar or coordinated proposal, ensuring bipartisan consideration.

Bottom Line

The PEARL Act is a concise, introduction‑stage measure that creates a three‑year, 60‑day‑from‑enactment pilot under CBP to adopt shelter dogs as emotional‑support animals for its workforce. While the bill’s immediate scope is narrow, its success could pave the way for a broader, federally‑supported canine support program that benefits both law‑enforcement personnel and the shelter‑derived animals.

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Key Provisions Impacts Timeline
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