Seton Hall Fire Victims Remembrance Act of 2026

This bill directs the Secretary of Education to develop fire suppression system standards for dormitories and other student residential facilities at colleges and universities that receive federal education funding, and requires those institutions to assess and report their compliance.

Sec. 2, Fire suppression standards at institutions of higher education: The Secretary of Education, in consultation with the National Institute of Standards and Technology and other experts, must develop and finalize fire suppression system standards within two years, including a phase-in timeline and compliance threshold for a designation. These standards must be updated every 10 years. Within three years, the Secretary must submit recommendations to Congress on ensuring maximum compliance and provide technical assistance to covered institutions.

Institutional compliance: Within one year after the standards are finalized, and every five years thereafter, each covered institution must conduct a compliance assessment submitted to the Secretary, certified by a fire suppression expert. The Secretary then designates each dormitory or facility as a "Federally Recognized Fire-Safe Campus" or "Not Federally Recognized Fire-Safe Campus." These assessments and designations are made publicly available on the Department of Education website. The bill amends the Higher Education Act to require institutions to comply with this Act as part of their program participation agreement, but clarifies that a non-compliant designation does not eliminate the institution's ability to participate in federal student aid programs.

Definitions: The bill defines "covered institution" as an institution of higher education receiving funds under an applicable program, and references existing definitions for "applicable program" and "institution of higher education."