---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 6620"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "6620"
heading: "Release of scientific research results"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/6620"
units:
  - "Chapter 79 — Science and Technology Policy, Organization and Priorities"
  - "Subchapter II — Office of Science and Technology Policy"
---

# §6620. Release of scientific research results

- (a) **Principles—** Not later than 90 days after August 9, 2007, the [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, in consultation with the [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) of the Office of Management and Budget and the heads of all Federal civilian [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) 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](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1), policymakers, and the public of research conducted by a scientist employed by a Federal civilian [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) 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](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) and shall be consistent with existing Federal laws, including [chapter 18](/usc/35/chptII/ch18.md) 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](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall ensure that all civilian Federal [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) 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](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) consistent with the principles established under [subsection (a)](#a). Such polices[^1] 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](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1);
  - (3) be applied uniformly throughout each such [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1); and
  - (4) be widely communicated and readily accessible to all employees of each such [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) and the public.

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original. Probably should be “policies”.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 110–69, title I, § 1009, Aug. 9, 2007, 121 Stat. 581.)

## Notes

### 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.