
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 42USC1885]

 
                 TITLE 42--THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
 
                 CHAPTER 16--NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
 
Sec. 1885. Congressional statement of findings and declaration 
        of policy respecting equal opportunities in science and 
        engineering
        
    (a) The Congress finds that it is in the national interest to 
promote the full use of human resources in science and engineering and 
to insure the full development and use of the scientific and engineering 
talents and skills of men and women, equally, of all ethnic, racial, and 
economic backgrounds.
    (b) The Congress declares it is the policy of the United States to 
encourage men and women, equally, of all ethnic, racial, and economic 
backgrounds to acquire skills in science, engineering, and mathematics, 
to have equal opportunity in education, training, and employment in 
scientific and engineering fields, and thereby to promote scientific and 
engineering literacy and the full use of the human resources of the 
Nation in science and engineering. To this end, the Congress declares 
that the highest quality science and engineering over the long-term 
requires substantial support, from currently available research and 
educational funds, for increased participation in science and 
engineering by women and minorities. The Congress further declares that 
the impact on women and minorities which is produced by advances in 
science and engineering must be included as essential factors in 
national and international science, engineering, and economic policies.

(Pub. L. 96-516, Sec. 32, Dec. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 3010; Pub. L. 99-159, 
title I, Sec. 111(b)(2)-(5), Nov. 22, 1985, 99 Stat. 892.)

                          Codification

    Section was enacted as part of the Science and Engineering Equal 
Opportunities Act, and not as part of the National Science Foundation 
Act of 1950 which comprises this chapter.


                               Amendments

    1985--Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 99-159, Sec. 111(b)(2), substituted 
``engineering'' for ``technology'' and ``scientific and engineering 
talents and skills'' for ``scientific talent and technical skills''.
    Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 99-159, Sec. 111(b)(3)-(5), inserted ``, 
engineering,'' after ``skills in science'', substituted ``engineering'' 
for ``technical'', ``scientific and engineering literacy'' for 
``scientific literacy'', and ``engineering'' for ``technology'' wherever 
appearing, and inserted ``and engineering'' after ``highest quality 
science''.


                               Short Title

    For short title of sections 31 et seq. of Pub. L. 96-516 as the 
``Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act'', see section 31 of 
Pub. L. 96-516, as amended, set out as a Short Title of 1980 Amendment 
note under section 1861 of this title.


     Severability of Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act

    Section 38 of Pub. L. 96-516 provided that: ``If a provision of this 
Act [enacting sections 1885 to 1885d of this title and provisions set 
out as notes under sections 1861 and 1885 of this title] is held 
invalid, the validity of the other provisions of the Act shall not be 
affected. If an application of a provision of this Act to a person or 
circumstance is held invalid, the validity of the application of the 
provisions to another person or circumstance shall not be affected.''


Reports to Congress Concerning National Policy Development of Promotion, 
   Etc., of Equal Opportunity for Women and Minorities in Science and 
     Technology, and Impacts of Science and Technology on Women and 
                               Minorities

    Section 35 of Pub. L. 96-516 directed President, with assistance of 
Director of Office of Science and Technology Policy and Director of 
Foundation, to prepare and transmit before Jan. 20, 1982, a report to 
Congress proposing a comprehensive national policy and program, 
including budgetary and legislative recommendations, for promotion of 
equal opportunity for women and minorities in science and technology, 
and directed President, with assistance of Director of Office of Science 
and Technology Policy, heads of appropriate executive departments, and 
Director of the Foundation to prepare and transmit before Jan. 1, 1983, 
a report to Congress proposing a comprehensive policy, including 
budgetary and legislative recommendations, concerning direct and 
indirect impacts of science and technology on women and minorities.

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in sections 1885c, 1885d of this title.
