The proposed bill would amend current statutes by allowing individuals to initiate civil actions against researchers, research institutions, or funding agencies for fraudulent scientific research and for failing to disclose critical information. Specifically, it introduces new provisions that require claimants to prove their cases by clear and convincing evidence and establishes a four-year statute of limitations for such claims. Successful claimants would be entitled to full damages, reasonable attorney fees, and punitive damages if the violation is deemed willful.

Additionally, the bill outlines specific exemptions from liability for researchers and institutions that engage in responsible practices, such as preregistering research methods, reporting errors, providing reproducibility information, and posting methodologies and data on open access platforms. It also mandates that entities receiving government or private grants must disclose all raw data, protocols, and methods in public databases. These updates aim to enhance accountability and transparency in scientific research while protecting responsible researchers from undue liability.