This bill requires federal agencies that fund, conduct, or oversee scientific research to adopt and publish scientific integrity policies. Agencies must submit policies to the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) for approval. Policies must ban scientific misconduct such as dishonesty, suppression or improper alteration of findings, intimidation, and institutional barriers to sharing results. Agencies may allow internal review of findings before public release if the agency has a clear process. Agencies must ensure scientific conclusions are not made for political reasons and that hiring and personnel actions for scientific roles are based on expertise and integrity.
The bill requires each covered agency to appoint a Scientific Integrity Officer (a career employee with technical expertise) and to create an administrative complaint and appeal process and training for staff and contractors. Agencies must publish annual reports listing complaint numbers, anonymized summaries, and policy changes. Agencies must report to OSTP and congressional committees if someone acting outside agency channels overrules a Scientific Integrity Officer. OSTP will collect and publish related information, convene the officers annually, and review substantial policy changes. The Comptroller General will review implementation within two years. Existing agency integrity policies may be kept if approved by OSTP.
No publicly available information.
The bill's "Sense of Congress" states that science should inform public decisions, that the public must be able to trust the scientific process, and that science and its communication should be free from politics, ideology, and financial conflicts of interest. Supporters argue the measures—clear policies, officers, training, reporting, and protections—will prevent suppression or distortion of research, protect scientists' ability to communicate findings, and strengthen public trust.
No publicly available information.