Rhode Island Governor Signs Bill Inspired by Marathon Bombing Survivor

Rhode Island's governor has signed into law a bill inspired by a resident injured in the Boston Marathon bombings who had trouble applying for the state's crime victim compensation fund because the attack happened in Massachusetts.

The state will now be able to compensate Rhode Island residents injured in terrorist attacks outside the state. Newport resident Heather Abbott, who lost part of her leg in the 2013 bombings, joined Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo for a signing ceremony Tuesday.

General Treasurer Seth Magaziner administers the fund and says the new law clarifies conflicting language that had caused Abbott's original claim to be denied.

Raimondo also signed another bill to increase the compensation a crime victim or victim's family can get for relocation or burial costs.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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