Bill Text: AZ SB1722 | 2025 | Fifty-seventh Legislature 1st Regular | Introduced

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Bill Title: Civil liability; fraudulent scientific research

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2025-02-12 - Senate JUDE Committee action: Do Pass, voting: (4-2-1-0) [SB1722 Detail]

Download: Arizona-2025-SB1722-Introduced.html

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REFERENCE TITLE: civil liability; fraudulent scientific research

 

 

 

 

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-seventh Legislature

First Regular Session

2025

 

 

 

SB 1722

 

Introduced by

Senator Rogers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

 

Amending title 12, chapter 6, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding article 20; relating to scientific research.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 12, chapter 6, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding article 20, to read:

ARTICLE 20. FRAUDULENT SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

START_STATUTE12-785. Civil liability; fraudulent scientific research; statute of limitations

A. A person may bring a civil action against a researcher, research institution or funding agency for fraudulent scientific research. The person shall prove fraudulent scientific research by clear and convincing evidence.

B. A RESEARCHER, RESEARCH INSTITUTION OR FUNDING AGENCY IS NOT LIABLE UNDER THIS SECTION IF THE RESEARCHER, RESEARCH INSTITUTION OR FUNDING AGENCY does any of the following:

1. PREREGISTERS A SCIENTIFIC HYPOTHESIS, METHOD OR ANALYSIS BEFORE research IS CONDUCTED.

2. DISCOVERS THAT THE RESULTS WERE MISINTERPRETED OR THAT AN ERROR WAS MADE IN DATA ANALYSIS AND WAS REPORTED TO THE APPLICABLE INSTITUTION AND THE PUBLIC.

3. After conclusion or publication, provides the study information to others to allow the opportunity to reproduce the results.

4. Posts the methodology and data on an open access database site.

c. A claimant who prevails under this section shall be awarded damages, reasonable attorney fees and, if the violation is wilful, punitive damages.

d. A cause of action for fraudulent scientific research shall be commenced within four years after the cause of action accrues.END_STATUTE

START_STATUTE12-785.01. Civil liability; failed disclosure

A. A person may bring a civil action against a researcher, research institution or funding agency that produces or finances scientific research for failing to disclose any of the following:

1. Funding sources.

2. Financial conflicts of interests.

3. Detailed methodologies.

4. Raw data supporting research findings.

B. The person shall prove failed disclosure by clear and convincing evidence.

C. a researcher, research institution or funding agency that receives government or private grants shall disclose all raw data, protocols and methods in public databases.

d. A claimant who prevails under this section shall be awarded damages, reasonable attorney fees and, if the violation is wilful, punitive damages. END_STATUTE