PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Legislation championed by state Treasurer Gina Raimondo to provide up to $2,500 to victims of a violent crime for relocation expenses cleared the House Tuesday on a 70-to-1 vote. It now goes to the Senate for consideration.
The bill would also expand the kinds of crime scene cleanup costs eligible for for up to $2,000 in emergency compensation.
The Crime Victim Compensation Program helps crime victims with costs associated with violent crimes, including medical expenses and loss of earnings up to $25,000.
According to the general treasurer's office, the state awarded 422 families with 1,300 payments totaling $1.9 million through the program in Fiscal Year 2012.
Rep. Anastasia P. Williams, D-Providence, the main sponsor of the bill in the House, has said the legislation is aimed at helping "victims who've fallen into life-threatening and abusive situations for which they have to relocate to get away from predators bringing harm to them and their children."