42 U.S.C. § 1885b — Participation in science and engineering

Page 5176 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 1885b positions in the Federal Government and in federally assisted research programs; ‘‘(2) coordinate existing Federal programs designed to promote the employment of women, minorities, and the handicapped in such positions; ‘‘(3) suggest cooperative interagency programs for promoting such employment; ‘‘(4) identify exemplary State, local, or private sec- tor programs designed to promote such employment; and ‘‘(5) develop a long-range plan to advance opportu- nities for women, minorities, and the handicapped in Federal scientific and technical positions in federally assisted research, and to coordinate the activities of participating agencies with the Committee on Equal Opportunities in Science and Engineering established by section 36 of the National Science Foundation Au- thorization and Science and Technology Equal Oppor- tunities Act [now the National Science Foundation Authorization and Science and Engineering Equal Op- portunities Act] (42 U.S.C. 1885c), after the termi- nation of the task force established by this section. ‘‘(b) For purposes of this section, the term ‘partici- pating agency’ means— ‘‘(1) the National Science Foundation; ‘‘(2) the Department of Health and Human Services; ‘‘(3) the National Aeronautics and Space Adminis- tration; ‘‘(4) the Environmental Protection Agency; ‘‘(5) the Department of Agriculture; ‘‘(6) the Department of Defense; ‘‘(7) the Department of Education; ‘‘(8) the Department of Energy; ‘‘(9) the Department of Commerce; and ‘‘(10) the Department of the Interior. ‘‘(c)(1) The task force on women, minorities, and the handicapped in science and technology shall be com- posed of individuals appointed by participating agen- cies pursuant to this subsection. ‘‘(2) The head of each participating agency shall ap- point two individuals to serve as members of the task force. If an appointed member is unable to serve for the duration of the task force, the head of the participating agency who appointed that member shall appoint an- other individual to fill the vacancy. ‘‘(3) Task force members may be appointed from pri- vate business, academia, professional associations, or nonprofit foundations. ‘‘(d) The task force shall prepare and submit a report on its findings and recommendations to the President, the Congress, and the head of each participating agency not later than December 31, 1989. ‘‘(e) The Office of Science and Technology Policy shall call the first meeting of the task force not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 21, 1986], shall ensure that each participating agency has appointed two members, and shall assist the task force to meet its objectives. ‘‘(f)(1) Members of the task force not otherwise em- ployed by the Federal Government shall be reimbursed for travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred by them in carrying out the duties of the task force. ‘‘(2) The Director of the National Science Foundation shall make provision for administrative support of the task force, and may enter into agreements with the heads of other participating agencies to facilitate the work of the task force. ‘‘(g) The task force shall terminate on January 31, 1990.’’ § 1885b. Participation in science and engineering of minorities and persons with disabilities (a) The Foundation is authorized (1) to under- take or support a comprehensive science and en- gineering education program to increase the participation of minorities in science and engi- neering, and (2) to support activities to initiate research at minority institutions. (b) The Foundation is authorized to undertake or support programs and activities to encourage the participation of persons with disabilities in the science and engineering professions. (Pub. L. 96–516, § 34, Dec. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 3012; Pub. L. 99–159, title I, § 111(b)(7), Nov. 22, 1985, 99 Stat. 892; Pub. L. 105–207, title II, § 202(d)(1), July 29, 1998, 112 Stat. 874.) Editorial Notes CODIFICATION Section was enacted as part of the Science and Engi- neering Equal Opportunities Act, and not as part of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 which com- prises this chapter. AMENDMENTS 1998—Pub. L. 105–207, § 202(d)(1)(A), substituted sec- tion catchline for former section catchline. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 105–207, § 202(d)(1)(B), added sub- sec. (b) and struck out former subsec. (b), which read as follows: ‘‘By September 30, 1981, the Director, with the advice and assistance of the Committee on Equal Op- portunities in Science and Technology established in section 1885c of this title, shall prepare and transmit to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives a report proposing a comprehensive and continuing program at the Founda- tion to promote the full participation of minorities in science and engineering. Such report shall contain budgetary and legislative recommendations for the car- rying out of such program by the Foundation.’’ 1985—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 99–159, § 111(b)(7), sub- stituted ‘‘science and engineering education’’ for ‘‘science education’’ and ‘‘engineering’’ for ‘‘tech- nology’’. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 99–159, § 111(b)(7)(B), substituted ‘‘engineering’’ for ‘‘technology’’. § 1885c. Committee on Equal Opportunities in Science and Engineering (a) Establishment; purposes There is established within the Foundation a Committee on Equal Opportunities in Science and Engineering (hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘Committee’’). The Committee shall provide ad- vice to the Foundation concerning (1) the imple- mentation of the provisions of sections 1885 to 1885d of this title and (2) other policies and ac- tivities of the Foundation to encourage full par- ticipation of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities in scientific, engineering, and professional fields. (b) Membership; Chairperson; term of members Each member of the Committee shall be ap- pointed by the Director. In addition, the Chair- man of the National Science Board may des- ignate a member of the Board as a member of the Committee. Members of the Committee shall be appointed to serve for a three-year term, and may be reappointed to serve one addi- tional term of three years. (c) Responsibilities of Committee The Committee shall be responsible for re- viewing and evaluating all Foundation matters relating to opportunities for the participation in, and the advancement of, women, minorities, and persons with disabilities in education, train- ing, and science and engineering research pro- grams.