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HB 4515

Human services: food assistance; recipient's digital photographic image and signature printed on the Michigan bridge card; require. Amends 1939 PA 280 (MCL 400.1 - 400.119b) by adding sec. 14k.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Greg Alexander and 13 co-sponsors

Michigan requires food assistance cards to display recipients' photos and signatures to reduce fraud, raising privacy, equity, and implementation cost concerns.

PLACED ON ORDER OF GENERAL ORDERS
#humanservices:foodassistance #humanservices:servicesorfinancialassistance
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Bill Summary · HB 4515

Legislative bill overview

HB 4515 requires the state to print recipients' digital photographic images and signatures directly on Michigan Bridge Cards (the state's food assistance benefit card). The bill amends the 1939 Public Assistance Act to mandate this identification feature on all food assistance cards issued going forward.

Why is this important

Bridge Cards are used by approximately 1.5 million Michigan residents to access Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits worth billions annually. Adding photo identification could affect card security, fraud prevention, and the user experience for vulnerable populations who rely on this assistance.

Potential points of contention

  • Privacy and data security concerns: Printing photos on cards creates larger databases of recipient images and raises questions about data storage, breach risks, and potential misuse of personal biometric information
  • Equity and accessibility issues: Photo requirements may create barriers for homeless individuals, those without ID documents, or vulnerable populations; implementation costs could redirect funds from actual food assistance
  • Fraud prevention effectiveness unclear: While proponents argue photos deter fraudulent use, evidence on whether this actually reduces SNAP fraud compared to current PIN/signature verification methods is limited, and some states have found minimal fraud rates without photo requirements
  • Operational and cost implications: Requiring new card production processes, photo collection infrastructure, and replacement of existing cards involves significant administrative burden and expense

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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