State officials will have an easier time identifying people with outstanding warrants who are on public welfare rolls, under legislation signed by the governor this week.
Michigan State Police will be required to share information about outstanding warrants with the Department of Human Services.
That information would then be compared to state welfare rolls to identify people fraudulently claiming benefits.
State Representative Jon Bumstead sponsored the legislation. He said it implements much needed reforms.
"It's a system that's been badly abused for many many years, and this is one small piece of the puzzle to get that system back on track. We want to make sure the money's there for people that need it, not for the criminal element out there in the State of Michigan."
According to a legislative analysis, the state is paying about 350-thousand dollars to set up the information sharing system.
How much money it will save remains to be seen.
Michigan State Police will be required to share information about outstanding warrants with the Department of Human Services.
That information would then be compared to state welfare rolls to identify people fraudulently claiming benefits.
State Representative Jon Bumstead sponsored the legislation. He said it implements much needed reforms.
"It's a system that's been badly abused for many many years, and this is one small piece of the puzzle to get that system back on track. We want to make sure the money's there for people that need it, not for the criminal element out there in the State of Michigan."
According to a legislative analysis, the state is paying about 350-thousand dollars to set up the information sharing system.
How much money it will save remains to be seen.