; (C) intimidating or coercing an individual to alter or censor, attempting to intimidate or coerce an individual to alter or censor, or retaliating against an individual for failure to alter or censor, scientific or technical findings; or (D) implementing an institutional barrier to cooperation with scientists outside the covered agency and the timely communication of scientific or technical findings; (2) shall allow a covered individual to— (A) disseminate scientific or technical findings, subject to existing law, by— (i) participating in scientific conferences; and (ii) seeking publication in online and print publications through peer-reviewed, professional, or scholarly journals; (B) sit on scientific advisory or governing boards; (C) join or hold leadership positions on scientific councils, societies, unions, and other professional organizations; (D) contribute to the academic peer-review process as reviewers or editors; and (E) participate and engage with the scientific community; (3) may require a covered individual to, before disseminating scientific or technical findings as described in paragraph (2)(A), submit such findings to the agency for the purpose of review by the agency of the data and findings for technical accuracy if the scientific integrity policy outlines a clear and consistent process for such review; and (4) shall require that— (A) scientific conclusions are not made based on political considerations; (B) the selection and retention of candidates for science and technology positions in the covered agency are based primarily on the candidate’s expertise, scientific credentials, experience, and integrity; (C) personnel actions regarding covered individuals, except for political appointees, are not taken on the basis of political consideration or ideology; (D) covered individuals adhere to the highest ethical and professional standards in conducting their research and disseminating their findings