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119-hr-7168119th CongressWALLET

Seton Hall Fire Victims Remembrance Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would require federal fire suppression standards for dormitories and other student housing at colleges that receive federal education funds. It creates a public designation system that links compliance to ongoing participation in federal higher education programs.

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  • Covered institutions would need to meet the new standards and complete certified compliance assessments one year after standards are finalized and every five years after. An expert in fire suppression systems designated by the Secretary, with input from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, must certify each assessment.
  • Students and families would get clearer information about campus housing safety because each dormitory would be labeled either Federally Recognized Fire-Safe Campus or Not Federally Recognized Fire-Safe Campus and those assessments must be posted on a Department of Education website in an accessible format.
  • The Secretary of Education, consulting with NIST and other experts, must finalize fire suppression standards within 2 years and update them every 10 years, and provide technical assistance to help institutions comply.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

New dorm fire-safety standards

This bill would require the Education Department to set national fire-suppression standards for college dorms and student housing within two years. The rules would include a timeline to phase in requirements and a compliance threshold. Standards would be updated every 10 years. Each covered college would have to get an expert-certified compliance assessment one year after the rules are final and then every five years. The Department would decide each facility's status within six months and post assessments and designations publicly in an accessible format. The Department would also give Congress recommendations and provide technical help to colleges within three years.

Colleges must certify fire compliance

This bill would add a new condition for colleges to get certain federal education program funds: they would need to certify they will follow the Seton Hall Fire Victims Remembrance Act. That certification would be added to existing program participation paperwork. The bill would also say that being labeled "Not Federally Recognized Fire-Safe Campus" alone should not, by itself, stop a college from taking part in programs under subchapter IV of the Higher Education Act.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7]

NJ • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 1/21/2026

  • Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 9/14/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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