Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-102

§6620 Release of Scientific Research Results

Title 42 › CHAPTER 79 — SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY, ORGANIZATION AND PRIORITIES › SUBCHAPTER II — OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY › § 6620

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §6620

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

(a)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)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 11 So in original. Probably should be “policies”. 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.

Legislative History

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.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 6620

Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102