Kean Announces Bipartisan Legislation to Enhance College Dormitory Fire Safety

(January 22, 2026) WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) and Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) announced the introduction of the Seton Hall Fire Victims Remembrance Act, bipartisan legislation that would establish and regularly update fire safety standards for college dormitories nationwide. The announcement comes in commemoration of the 26th anniversary of the Boland Hall fire at Seton Hall University on January 19, 2000, which claimed three young lives and injured 58 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."

"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," said Monsignor Joseph Reilly, S.T.L., Ph.D., Seton Hall University President. "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."

"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."

Background:

On January 19, 2000, Seton Hall University students experienced an unspeakable tragedy when a fire erupted in the Boland Hall dormitory at approximately 4:30 am. The fire, which spread rapidly through the third-floor lounge, claimed the lives of three students-Aaron Karol, Frank Caltabilota, Jr., and John Giunta- and injured 58 others, many suffering severe burns. At the time, the dormitory lacked sprinkler systems, and the tragedy exposed critical gaps in fire safety infrastructure nationwide. It was one of the deadliest college fires in recent U.S. history.

In the fire's aftermath, New Jersey became the first state to enact mandatory sprinkler requirements for all college dormitories. Sprinklers were installed across Seton Hall's dormitories by summer 2000, and just months later, a newly installed sprinkler system contained another fire in Boland Hall with no injuries reported. Despite this progress in New Jersey, comprehensive national standards for college dormitory fire safety remain absent.

The Seton Hall Fire Victims Remembrance Act directs the Secretary of Education, in consultation with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and fire safety experts, to develop national standards for fire safety suppression systems in dormitories and other residential facilities on college campuses. These standards will be updated every ten years to reflect technological advances and best practices.

The legislation also creates a framework for compliance and accountability:

• Within one year of standards being finalized, and every five years after, colleges must assess and report their compliance to the Department of Education
• Institutions meeting the standards will receive public designation as "Federally Recognized Fire-Safe Campus"
• The Department of Education will publish all institutional assessments and provide technical assistance to help schools achieve compliance
• The Secretary of Education and NIST will submit recommendations to Congress on pathways to optimal compliance
  

A copy of the bill text is available HERE.

Pictured on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, from left to right: Brian Fitzpatrick, Jr. (SHU '03), Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07), and Craig McGraw (SHU '05).

###