Providing Emotional Assistance with Relief and Love Act; PEARL Act
Summary
The PEARL Act directs U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to establish a three-year pilot program. This program will adopt dogs from local animal shelters and train them as support dogs for CBP's Support Canine Program. The Act mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security, through the CBP Commissioner, to implement the program within 60 days of enactment.
Expected Effects
This act will lead to the creation of a pilot program within CBP utilizing shelter dogs as support animals. It will also likely increase collaboration between CBP and local animal shelters. The program is set to terminate three years after its establishment, requiring further evaluation for continuation.
Potential Benefits
- Provides a potential source of support animals for CBP, which could improve officer well-being.
- Offers a humane alternative for shelter dogs, providing them with training and purpose.
- May reduce costs associated with acquiring support animals through traditional channels.
- Could improve community relations by partnering with local animal shelters.
- May lead to innovative approaches in canine support programs.
Potential Disadvantages
- The program's limited duration (three years) may not be sufficient to fully assess its long-term effectiveness.
- There may be unforeseen costs associated with training and maintaining shelter dogs.
- The suitability of shelter dogs for CBP's specific needs may vary.
- Potential challenges in integrating shelter dogs into existing CBP canine programs.
- The program's success depends on effective collaboration between CBP and local animal shelters.
Constitutional Alignment
The PEARL Act appears to align with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it aims to improve the well-being of CBP officers and provide opportunities for shelter animals. Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the power to provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States, which can be interpreted to include supporting federal agencies like CBP. No specific constitutional conflicts are apparent.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).