This bill directs the Secretary of Education to create national standards for fire suppression systems in dormitories and other student residential buildings at institutions that receive federal education funding. The Secretary must work with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and other experts. The standards must be finalized within 2 years and updated every 10 years. Within 3 years, the Secretary must (1) give Congress recommendations to help institutions meet the standards and (2) provide technical assistance to institutions.
Institutions that receive federal student funds must assess their dormitories for compliance with the standards within 1 year after the standards are finalized and then every 5 years. An expert in fire suppression systems (as defined by the Secretary in consultation with NIST) must determine the accuracy of each assessment. Within 6 months after getting an assessment, the Secretary will publicly designate each institution or each dormitory as either a "Federally Recognized Fire-Safe Campus" or a "Not Federally Recognized Fire-Safe Campus." The Department of Education must post assessments and designations on a public website in an easy-to-understand form.
The bill adds a requirement to the Higher Education Act program participation agreement that institutions agree to comply with this Act. The bill also states that being designated as "Not Federally Recognized Fire-Safe Campus" will not by itself remove an institution's ability to participate in certain federal higher education programs.
No publicly available information on costs or funding is included in the bill text. The bill does not specify funding amounts, appropriations, or federal grants to pay for assessments, upgrades, or enforcement.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.