Contact Us | Donate | Advertise Follow us on TwitterFollow us on facebookFollow us on LinkedIn

FASTR Legislation Moves Forward

On March 8th, "Fair Access to Science and Technology Research Act of 2015" (FASTR) (S. 779) was placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar (No. 384).

FASTR was reported out of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs by Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) with an amendment which provides a 12-month embargo period, and includes a provision for a petition process to change embargoes.  You may recall that an earlier version of the bill called for a 6-month embargo period. With this latest action, the bill is now open for consideration by the full Senate.

A joint MLA/AAHSL Fact Sheet on FASTR provides additional details about why our organizations wholeheartedly support this legislation which will facilitate scientific collaboration, provide researchers with easier access to the results of federally funded scientific research and data, strengthen biomedical research, and support better patient care. During their June 15, 2015 Capitol Hill meetings, members of the Joint MLA/AAHSL Legislative Task Force urged Congress to cosponsor S. 779 and its companion bill H.R.1477.

 

Recent Stories
Guidelines for MLA & Member Engagement in Societal Issues

MLA Legislative Update Webinar: A Summary

MLA's Censorship and Library Practices Toolkit