PAWTUCKET, R.I. -- State General Treasurer Gina Raimondo, joined by two Democratic lawmakers -- Rep. Anastasia Williams and Sen. Donna Nesselbush -- visited the Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center on Monday to announce their backing for two bills that would expand the Crime Victims Compensation program to include crime victims' emergency relocation costs up to $2,500.
Raimondo said bills could change lives and "quite possibly save them," since innocent victims of violent crime often have to move to rebuild their lives.
Established in 1972, the program is intended to help victims by covering associated medical expenses and loss of earnings up to $25,000. In fiscal year 2012, 422 Rhode Island families were awarded more than 1,300 payments totaling $1.9 million.