42 USC 6624 - Federal scientific collections

U.S Code last checked for updates: May 05, 2024

§ 6624.

Federal scientific collections

(a)

Management of scientific collections

The Office of Science and Technology Policy shall develop policies for the management and use of Federal scientific collections to improve the quality, organization, access, including online access, and long-term preservation of such collections for the benefit of the scientific enterprise. In developing those policies the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall consult, as appropriate, with—

(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