LANSING (WKZO) -- Legislation approved this week by the state House Committee on Families, Children, and Seniors would require the Department of Human Services to check the US Social Security Death Index each month to make sure Bridge Cards aren't being issued to dead people.

State Representative Tim Kelly, of Saginaw Township, says that this seems like a common sense way to prevent welfare abuse. He adds that the federal government supports states following such procedures.If it's found that a dead person is still getting a Bridge Card, those benefits would be terminated. The measure now goes to the full State House.