42 U.S.C. § 6620: Release of scientific…

Summary

The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy must, not later than 90 days after August 9, 2007, work with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the heads of all civilian federal science agencies to create clear principles that protect open sharing of research data and results and stop deliberate or accidental hiding or changing of findings. Those principles must encourage openness, follow existing federal laws (including the Bayh‑Dole Act), and consider journal publication rules. Not later than 180 days after August 9, 2007, the OSTP Director must make sure each civilian science agency writes its own public rules and steps for releasing research data and results that match those principles. Each agency’s rules must say what is allowed or not, be made for that agency, be used the same way across the agency, and be easy for staff and the public to find and use.

Title 42, §6620

The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Principles

Not later than 90 days after August 9, 2007, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the heads of all Federal civilian agencies that conduct scientific research, shall develop and issue an overarching set of principles to ensure the communication and open exchange of data and results to other agencies, policymakers, and the public of research conducted by a scientist employed by a Federal civilian agency and to prevent the intentional or unintentional suppression or distortion of such research findings. The principles shall encourage the open exchange of data and results of research undertaken by a scientist employed by such an agency and shall be consistent with existing Federal laws, including chapter 18 of title 35 (commonly known as the “Bayh-Dole Act”). The principles shall also take into consideration the policies of peer-reviewed scientific journals in which Federal scientists may currently publish results.

(b)Implementation

Not later than 180 days after August 9, 2007, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall ensure that all civilian Federal agencies that conduct scientific research develop specific policies and procedures regarding the public release of data and results of research conducted by a scientist employed by such an agency consistent with the principles established under subsection (a). Such polices and procedures shall—

(1)specifically address what is and what is not permitted or recommended under such policies and procedures;

(2)be specifically designed for each such agency;

(3)be applied uniformly throughout each such agency; and

(4)be widely communicated and readily accessible to all employees of each such agency and the public.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Codification Section was enacted as part of the America COMPETES Act, also known as the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science Act, and not as part of the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 which comprises this chapter.

§6620 Release of Scientific Research Results

Summary

Title 42, §6620

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Citations & Metadata