PERFECT Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- S. 4626
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-21: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-08T17:51:47Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose The legislation aims to protect members of the Armed Forces from health risks associated with certain dietary supplements and performance-enhancing substances by requiring the Department of Defense to maintain and publicly share clear lists of prohibited ingredients. It also seeks to reduce harsh disciplinary actions for good-faith mistakes while promoting education and safety.
Key Provisions
- The Secretary of Defense must publish and update every 90 days two lists: one for prohibited dietary supplement ingredients and one for prohibited performance-enhancing substances.
- These lists must be available in three formats: a full-view website page without needing a search tool, a searchable database, and a downloadable digital file.
- Commanding officers may choose not to discipline a service member for a first offense involving a prohibited ingredient (excluding controlled substances), if the member meets a good-faith standard and agrees to education, counseling, or testing instead. Administrative separation may also be avoided.
- Possession of such a supplement is not treated as drug abuse under title 10.
- The good-faith standard includes lacking actual knowledge of the ingredient, buying from a Department of Defense-affiliated store, relying on an inaccurate list search, or having a reasonable belief the product is safe.
- The Secretary must update Department of Defense Instruction 6130.06 within 120 days, enhance the Operation Supplement Safety website within one year (including better search tools and AI options), review training programs for supplement safety education, and submit various reports to Congress on implementation and outcomes.
Significant Changes to Existing Law This bill adds a new section 978a to title 10 of the United States Code, creating formal requirements for prohibited lists that did not previously exist in this form. It introduces discretionary leniency for first offenses and clarifies that certain supplement possession does not qualify as drug abuse, shifting from potentially stricter uniform discipline policies.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: The Department of Defense must allocate resources to maintain lists, update websites and instructions, and produce regular reports, potentially affecting the Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness and retail facilities on military bases.
- On citizens: Service members gain clearer guidance and limited protections against discipline for unintentional violations, which may reduce career risks from supplement use.
- On international relations: No direct effects are outlined in the bill.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Members of the Armed Forces (who must comply with the lists and may benefit from good-faith protections).
- Commanding officers (who gain discretion in disciplinary decisions).
- The Secretary of Defense and Department of Defense agencies (responsible for implementation and reporting).
- Retail facilities affiliated with the Department of Defense (required to avoid selling prohibited products).
- Congressional committees on Armed Services (recipients of required reports).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill modifies military justice procedures by redefining certain conduct as outside drug abuse categories and granting commanders flexibility, which could affect due process considerations in administrative actions. It emphasizes transparency through public lists and education requirements, potentially influencing how the military balances operational readiness with individual service member protections.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-21: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
- 2026-05-21: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Protecting Enlisted and Recruits from Excessive and Catastrophic Trials Act of 2026 — issued 2026-05-21 — PDF (8 pages)