KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Ben Kredich’s parents are reflecting on the importance of the bill named after their son after it passed unanimously through the Tennessee General Assembly.

On April 24, the bill to enact the Ben Kredich Act passed in the House, according to the general assembly’s website. It was passed in the Senate earlier that month. The bill has since been signed by House Speaker Cameron Sexton and is on it’s way to Governor Bill Lee’s desk.

On Wednesday, Matt and Kim Kredich spoke with WATE following Shannon Walker‘s arraignment. Walker is accused of striking and killing Ben Kredich while driving on Kingston Pike on August 21, 2023, just hours after he had been administered Narcan, according to court records. The Kredich’s were in the gallery as Walker was arraigned.

“I held it together for the first bit, but we were a little later in the line and it was hard not to get a little bit emotional, so within myself it’s a tough day,” Kim Kredich said following the arraignment.

Despite how difficult the case is, the Kredichs said they are encouraged, knowing how the bill named in their son’s honor will protect others.

“Any measure that improves safety, that’s catalyzed by Benny’s life, I think raises importance to us quite a bit. And it’s gratifying to see his name on it and to know that there will be people that are helped that you’ll probably never know about, but that adds certainly adds some significance to have his name on it,” Matt Kredich said.

“[It] provides a lot of awareness about one’s state after receiving an opioid antagonist like Narcan, and we just want to do everything we can to make sure that people are knowledgeable,” Kim Kredich said. “To the person who used drug to receive that opioid antagonist, it protects them, and it would protect the public, so everyone.”

Ben Kredich’s parents also stressed that they are pushing for good, awareness, and protecting society, even for those who may not know that their son’s life spurred the legislations.

“People don’t even need to ever know about what created on campus housing for UT FUTURE students or what allowed first responders to inform the person who’s just received Narcan about the dangers of driving that that it the drugs are still in your system and that you can be found under the influence if pulled over,” Kim Kredich said.

She explained that Ben Kredich also advocated on his 20th birthday in front of the Senate Education Committee. She said that led to the creation of on campus housing for UT FUTURE students. The UT FUTURE program helps students with intellectual and developmental disabilities transition from high school to adult life.