U.S Code last checked for updates: Aug 16, 2025
§ 6624.
Federal scientific collections
(a)
Management of scientific collections
(1)
Federal agencies with such collections; and
(2)
representatives of other organizations, institutions, and other entities not a part of the Federal Government that have a stake in the preservation, maintenance, and accessibility of such collections, including State and local government agencies, institutions of higher education, museums, and other entities engaged in the acquisition, holding, management, or use of scientific collections.
(b)
Clearinghouse
(c)
Disposal of collections
The policies developed under subsection (a) shall—
(1)
require that, before disposing of a scientific collection, a Federal agency shall—
(A)
conduct a review of the research value of the collection; and
(B)
consult with researchers who have used the collection, and other potentially interested parties, concerning—
(i)
the collection’s value for research purposes; and
(ii)
possible additional educational uses for the collection; and
(2)
include procedures for Federal agencies to transfer scientific collections they no longer need to researchers at institutions or other entities qualified to manage the collections.
(d)
Cost projections
(e)
Scientific collection defined
(Pub. L. 111–358, title I, § 104, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3988.)
cite as: 42 USC 6624