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Lawmakers take on bill inspired by marathon bombing survivor

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rhode Island lawmakers inspired by a resident who lost a leg in the Boston Marathon bombings are moving forward on legislation to make victim...
Heather Abbott

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rhode Island lawmakers inspired by a resident who lost a leg in the Boston Marathon bombings are moving forward on legislation to make victims of terrorist attacks eligible for compensation even if the attack happened outside the state.

Lawmakers say Heather Abbott had trouble applying for the state’s crime victim compensation fund after the 2013 attack.

General Treasurer Seth Magaziner says the bill will prevent such hurdles in the future by clarifying conflicting language in the existing law. Magaziner administers the fund.

The House voted 68-0 to pass the bill last month. It faces a Senate committee hearing Tuesday.

Its sponsor is Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed, a Newport Democrat. Abbott is a Newport resident.

The state initially denied Abbott’s claim but then determined she was eligible.

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