RELEASE: After 26th Anniversary of Deadly NJ Dorm Fire, Gottheimer Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Students

Above: Rep. Gottheimer and Rep. Kean, Jr. stand with Seton Hall alumni Brian Fitzpatrick and Craig McGraw.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, January 22, 2026, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) and Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-7) announced the introduction of the Seton Hall Fire Victims Remembrance Act of 2026, bipartisan legislation to strengthen fire safety standards in college dorms and student residential facilities nationwide, ensuring tragedies like the deadly Seton Hall dorm fire never happen again.

This week marked the 26th anniversary of the Boland Hall fire at Seton Hall University in New Jersey. The tragic fire, which occurred in the early hours of January 19, 2000, claimed the lives of freshmen Aaron Karol, Frank Caltabilota, Jr., and John Giunta. It also injured 58 others, including students and first responders. The fire was able to spread quickly and aggressively through the dorm due to a lack of sprinklers. 

To ensure continued safety for students, this bill directs the U.S. Department of Education, in consultation with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), to develop and regularly update clear, enforceable fire suppression standards for on-campus student housing at colleges and universities receiving federal education funding.

“Every student deserves to be safe where they live, learn, and sleep,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “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.”

“It has been twenty-six years since the Seton Hall University dormitory fire, yet the lessons of that tragedy remain urgent,” said Congressman Kean, Jr. (NJ-7). “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.”

Under the Seton Hall Fire Victims Remembrance Act, colleges and universities would be required to:

• Meet federally developed fire suppression standards for dormitories and student housing;
• Conduct regular, expert-verified assessments of compliance;
• Publicly disclose their fire safety status; and
• Earn a designation as a “Federally Recognized Fire-Safe Campus” if they meet the standards. 

Find the bill text here.

The bipartisan legislation also provides technical assistance to help institutions comply and makes clear that schools working toward compliance are not automatically disqualified from federal education programs. 

The bill is named in remembrance of the victims of the Seton Hall University dormitory fire and aims to turn their legacy into lasting protections for students across the country.

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