Scientific Integrity Act
Latest action (2 Mar 2017): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 1358, the Scientific Integrity Act, would require federal agencies that fund or conduct scientific research to adopt formal policies protecting the integrity of that research. It directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy to issue overarching principles, within 30 days of enactment, for openly sharing scientific data and findings while protecting privacy, confidentiality, and national security. Within 90 days, each covered agency would need to develop, publicize, and enforce its own scientific integrity policy addressing issues such as hiring and personnel decisions based on expertise rather than politics, peer review of scientific findings used in policymaking, procedures to prevent suppression or distortion of research, and whistleblower protections. Agencies with existing policies could satisfy the requirement by certifying, in writing, that those policies meet the new standards. The bill also calls for the National Academy of Public Administration to study how well these policies work.
The bill would primarily affect federal agencies, their scientists, engineers, and contractors, as well as policymakers who rely on federally funded research. It aims to ensure that scientific conclusions used in government decisions are based on evidence rather than political or ideological considerations, and that agency scientists can communicate their findings without interference.
The bill was introduced on March 2, 2017, by Rep. Paul Tonko and referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. It did not receive a vote and did not become law during that Congress.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Scientific Integrity Act
This bill requires, subject to Freedom of Information Act disclosure restrictions and privacy requirements, federal agencies that fund or conduct scientific research to: (1) promote and maximize the communication and open exchange of scientific data and findings to other agencies, policymakers, and the public; and (2) prevent the suppression or distortion of such data and findings.
The bill amends the America COMPETES Act to require federal agencies that fund or conduct scientific research to develop and enforce a scientific integrity policy and submit it to Congress and the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).
A scientific integrity policy must, at a minimum, ensure that scientific conclusions are not made based on political considerations. It must be made available to the public on agency websites and be disseminated to each new agency employee and contractor. Agencies must also develop and require training on the policy for its employees and contractors.
The OSTP shall enter into an agrement with the National Academy of Public Administration to study the appropriateness of scientific integrity policies.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 1358 do?
- H.R. 1358, the Scientific Integrity Act, would require federal agencies that fund or conduct scientific research to adopt formal policies protecting the integrity of that research. It directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy to issue overarching principles, within 30 days of enactment, for openly sharing scientific data and findings while protecting privacy, confidentiality, and national security. Within 90 days, each covered agency would need to develop, publicize, and enforce its own scientific integrity policy addressing issues such as hiring and personnel decisions based on expertise rather than politics, peer review of scientific findings used in policymaking, procedures to prevent suppression or distortion of research, and whistleblower protections. Agencies with existing policies could satisfy the requirement by certifying, in writing, that those policies meet the new standards. The bill also calls for the National Academy of Public Administration to study how well these policies work. The bill would primarily affect federal agencies, their scientists, engineers, and contractors, as well as policymakers who rely on federally funded research. It aims to ensure that scientific conclusions used in government decisions are based on evidence rather than political or ideological considerations, and that agency scientists can communicate their findings without interference. The bill was introduced on March 2, 2017, by Rep. Paul Tonko and referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. It did not receive a vote and did not become law during that Congress.
- Has H.R. 1358 become law?
- Not yet. As of 2 Mar 2017, H.R. 1358 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 1358?
- H.R. 1358 was sponsored by Rep. Paul Tonko [D-NY20] (Democrat-NY), with 157 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 1358?
- Introduced (2 Mar 2017).
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