Families who've lost loved ones to violence or reckless behavior spoke in support of a proposed crime bill.

A Louisville teenager named Madeline Trout was killed in a head on collision caused by an intoxicated driver in 2021.

The driver had been bailed out by a nonprofit that helps get people out of jail as they await trial.

Madeline's mom said that driver was let out too soon.

I am here today to fight on behalf of Madeline for the hearts of my family, for the families across the state of Kentucky.

See, this tragedy could have been avoided.

The driver of the stolen truck was arrested on February 2nd, 2021, for stealing a vehicle with also being on drugs.

The current criminal liability to society was was released as he was bailed out by the local Bell Project with no money out of his pocket and no accountability.

This man has a file that was multiple pages long.

No background information or check was placed on this man, nor were there programs set up or enforced to ensure that he would not go back and repeat these decisions, which he did.

Ms.. Trout was testifying for the SAFER Kentucky Act that would ban bail funds from paying more than $5,000 for a single bail or for anyone accused of a violent crime.

This provision was put to lawmakers last year, but it didn't become law.

Supporters hope it will go further as part of a large omnibus bill called the Safer Kentucky Act House Bill five.

After more than 2 hours of testimony today that just ended over an hour ago, the House Judiciary Committee passed the bill 13 to 5.

You'll hear more testimony from both sides and reactions from lawmakers tomorrow on Kentucky Edition.

And I'll dig deeper into House Bill five, the Safer Kentucky Act.

On Monday night's Kentucky Tonight.

That's at eight Eastern, seven Central.