WASHINGTON, D.C. — Reps. Tom Kean Jr. and Josh Gottheimer on Thursday announced bipartisan legislation aimed at strengthening fire safety standards in college dormitories nationwide, citing the 2000 Boland Hall fire at Seton Hall University.
The proposed Seton Hall Fire Victims Remembrance Act would establish national standards for fire safety suppression systems in dormitories and other residential facilities on college campuses and require the standards to be updated every 10 years, according to the lawmakers’ announcement. The bill was announced in connection with the 26th anniversary of the Jan. 19, 2000, dormitory fire that killed three Seton Hall students and injured 58 others, including students and first responders.
“It has been twenty-six years since the Seton Hall University dormitory fire, yet the lessons of that tragedy remain urgent,” said Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. “Today, we honor the memory of those lost by taking concrete steps to prevent future tragedies and protect today’s students nationwide. By establishing clear federal standards and ensuring accountability through public transparency, our bill ensures American universities prioritize lifesaving protections. I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation alongside my fellow New Jersey colleague, Congressman Gottheimer, to ensure campus fire safety receives the sustained attention and resources it deserves.”
“Every student deserves to be safe where they live, learn, and sleep,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer. “Too many families know the unbearable pain of losing a child because of preventable fire safety failures. This bipartisan bill honors the victims of the Seton Hall Bolan Hall fire by taking meaningful action to protect students, save lives, and ensure transparency.”
Seton Hall University President Monsignor Joseph Reilly said the bill would honor those affected by the fire.
“Twenty-six years later, the lives of Aaron Karol, Frank Caltabilota, Jr., John Giunta, and the 58 students and first responders who suffered injuries remain permanently etched into our memory at Seton Hall,” Reilly said. “This legislation honors them, reaffirms our commitment to protecting students, and takes steps to ensure that such a tragic loss is never repeated. We are grateful to our elected representatives for recognizing the lasting impact of that day and for standing with our community in remembrance and resolve.”
Survivors of the fire also backed the proposal.
“January 19, 2000, was a night that forever changed my life,” said Brian Fitzpatrick, Jr. (Seton Hall University Class of 2003). “I survived the Seton Hall fire, and in the aftermath of that night I gained a new appreciation for life. From that moment on, I made a commitment to live each day to the fullest, in honor and in memory of those seriously injured and my three classmates who lost their lives—John, Aaron, and Frank. I carry their memory with me always. With the help of Congressman Kean and his dedicated staff, we can further honor those we lost by turning tragedy into action. Passing this fire safety bill helps ensure that what happened that night will never happen again on any campus across the country.”
“We really appreciate the effort of Congressman Kean and his staff, as well as Congressman Gottheimer, in getting together the Seton Hall Fire Victims Remembrance Act,” said Craig McGraw (Seton Hall University Class of 2005). “The Seton Hall Fire was such a tragic event, and we’re grateful there’s now a bill on the federal level to help prevent something like this from ever happening again.”
Under the proposal, the secretary of education would develop national dormitory fire suppression standards in consultation with the National Institute of Standards and Technology and fire safety experts. Colleges would be required to assess and report their compliance within one year of the standards being finalized and then every five years, according to the announcement. Institutions meeting the standards would receive a public designation as a “Federally Recognized Fire-Safe Campus,” while the Education Department would publish assessments and provide technical assistance, the lawmakers said.
The bill would also direct the secretary of education and NIST to submit recommendations to Congress on pathways to achieving broader compliance, according to the announcement.
