S 775 — Scientific Integrity Act

Summary

Scientific Integrity Act This bill revises provisions regarding the release of scientific research results by federal agencies. The bill prohibits specified federal employees and contractors of an agency that funds, conducts, or oversees scientific research from engaging in scientific or research misconduct or manipulating communication of scientific or technical findings. A covered individual may disseminate scientific or technical findings by (1) participating in scientific conferences; and (2) seeking publication through peer-reviewed, professional, or scholarly journals. The bill specifies the kinds of scientific community activities covered individuals may participate and engage in, including the reviewing of public statements and responding to media interview requests. Each covered agency must develop, adopt, and enforce a scientific integrity policy and also must submit it to the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and Congress; appoint a Scientific Integrity Officer; and adopt and implement an administrative process and administrative appeal for dispute resolution and a training program that, among other things, provides regular scientific integrity and ethics training to employees and contractors. OSTP must collate, organize, and publicly share all information it receives under each scientific integrity policy on its website.

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in Senate Current html March 13, 2019

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends the America COMPETES Act to add requirements for covered agencies to develop and implement scientific integrity policies.

• 42 U.S.C. 6620

  (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. → (a) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Covered agency.--The term `covered agency' means any agency, as defined in section 551 of title 5, United States Code, that funds, conducts, or oversees scientific research or the analysis of research. (2) Covered individual.--The term `covered individual' means a Federal employee or contractor who-- (A) is engaged in, supervises, or manages scientific activities; (B) analyzes or publicly communicates information resulting from scientific activities; or (C) uses scientific information or analyses in making bureau, office, or agency policy, management, or regulatory decisions. (3) Public statement.--The term `public statement' means any communication that is intended for, or should reasonably be expected to have, broad distribution outside the Federal Government, including-- (A) public speeches, news releases and advisories, news conferences, broadcast appearances, and interviews or discussions with journalists; (B) public writings, such as articles or papers in publications or other writings distributed through mass-mailing, e-mail, or posting on a website or social media platform; (C) materials and presentations for public educational instruction, lectures, conferences, seminars, and similar venues; and (D) public distribution of audiovisual works, such as slide sets, PowerPoint presentations, podcasts, online video, and exhibits. (b) Prohibited Conduct.--No covered individual shall-- (1) engage in dishonesty, fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, coercive manipulation, or other scientific or research misconduct; (2) suppress, alter, interfere, or otherwise impede the timely release and communication of scientific or technical findings; (3) intimidate, coerce, or retaliate against covered individuals or others to alter or censor scientific or technical findings; or (4) implement institutional barriers to cooperation and the timely communication of scientific or technical findings. (c) Scientific Publications and Conferences.-- (1) Dissemination of findings.--A covered individual may disseminate scientific or technical findings-- (A) by participating in scientific conferences; and (B) seeking publication in online and print publications through peer-reviewed, professional, or scholarly journals. (2) Review by agencies.-- (A) In general.--A covered agency may require a covered individual to, before disseminating scientific or technical findings under paragraph (1), submit the findings to the covered agency so that the agency may conduct a review of the data and findings for technical accuracy and compliance with subsection (b). (B) Approval.--If a covered agency does not complete the review under subparagraph (A) of data and findings submitted by a covered individual within 30 days of the submission-- (i) the submission shall be deemed approved by the covered agency; and (ii) the covered individual may proceed with plans to disseminate the scientific or technical findings.

  This change establishes a new structure for defining covered agencies and individuals, and sets standards for scientific integrity policies.

• 42 U.S.C. 6620

  (b) ImplementationNot 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 [1] and procedures shall— → (g) Scientific Integrity Policies.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of the Scientific Integrity Act, the head of each covered agency shall-- (1) develop, adopt, and enforce a scientific integrity policy; and (2) submit the scientific integrity policy to-- (A) the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy; and (B) Congress.

  This change modifies the timeline and requirements for agencies to develop and implement scientific integrity policies.

Action History

1. March 13, 2019

   Introduced in Senate

2. March 13, 2019

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Sponsors

• Brian Schatz · Primary

Subjects