Open Access Legislation is Active

"The “taxpayer access to publically funded research act” (TAPFR) is now active in the New York State Legislature. TAPFR is supported by the New York State Higher Education Initiative (NYSHEI) and sponsored by Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi (D-Queens) – pictured above. TAPFR establishes that the published results of publically funded research be openly and electronically accessible to all members of the public. “The academic and research libraries of New York applaud the vision of Assemblyman Hevesi,” said NYSHEI Executive Director Jason Kramer. “Mr. Hevesi understands that taxpayers deserve access to the research results they paid for.” ...TAPFR was inspired by HR 5037, the federal research public access act (FRPAA), and the open access success of the National Institutes of Health embodied in the development of PubMed Central. If enacted, New York would become the first state to adopt a measure to ensure open access to publically funded research. The State of New York spends around $50 million annually in direct research support, the majority of which flows through the state Department of Health in support of stem cell research...."