US Maritime Liability Rules Changed After 2019 Boat Fire

US Maritime Liability Rules Changed After 2019 Boat Fire
A standing memorial to the people who died aboard the Conception dive boat is seen along the coast near the Santa Barbara, Calif., harbor on July 12, 2020. John Antczak/AP Photo
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LOS ANGELES—Federal lawmakers have changed 19th-century maritime liability rules for accident victims and their families in response to the 2019 boat fire off the coast of Southern California that killed 34 people.

The Small Passenger Vessel Liability Fairness Act was included in the $858 billion defense spending bill that President Joe Biden signed Friday.