10 U.S.C. § 8617A — United States Navy Museum System

(a) In General. The Secretary of the Navy must support a system of official Navy museums, together called the "United States Navy Museum System." This system includes: (1) the National Museum of the United States Navy; (2) the United States Naval Academy Museum; (3) the Naval War College Museum; (4) the Submarine Force Museum; (5) the National Naval Aviation Museum; (6) the USS Constitution Naval History and Heritage Command, Detachment Boston; (7) the United States Navy Seabee Museum; (8) the Puget Sound Navy Museum; (9) the Naval Undersea Museum; (10) the National Museum of the American Sailor; (11) the Hampton Roads Naval Museum; and (12) any other museums the Secretary designates that meet the criteria set under subsection (b). (b) Criteria for Designation. The Secretary must set criteria for adding museums beyond the 11 named ones. These criteria must include (1) historical significance to naval operations, technology, or personnel; (2) public accessibility and educational outreach programs; and (3) how well the museum fits the Navy's mission of preserving its heritage. (c) Criteria for Closure. The Secretary must set criteria for closing museums in the System. No museum in the System may close until (1) the Secretary sends the House and Senate Armed Services Committees notice that includes (A) a plan for preserving, storing, or finding an alternate display for the museum's historical collections, (B) how personnel issues will be resolved, (C) any efforts made to keep the museum running through public-private partnerships, and (D) an analysis of the cost to transport, consolidate, and preserve the collections; and (2) 90 days have passed since those committees received that notice. (d) Funding and Support. Consistent with applicable law, the Secretary may form partnerships, including with nonprofits, to improve the museums' financial sustainability and public engagement.