The Republican-controlled Kansas legislature has passed a new bill that would limit what welfare recipients can spend state money on. The bill hopes to curb suspected fraud, but state Democrats fear it will simply hurt poor and struggling families.

The bill would change some of the rules concerning Kansas' Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which provides financial assistance to poor families, according to CNN. TANF gives $497 in cash to families of four every month. The legislature's bill would restrict how this money is spent.

The bill would prevent recipients from spending the money on alcoholic beverages, casinos, jewelry stores, tattoo parlors, spas, nail salons, movie theaters, theme parks and sporting events.

According to KCUR.org, the bill would also further restrict the TANF program, lowering the length a family can have lifetime benefits from 48 months to 36 months. The bill also would limit ATM withdrawals from $60 to $25.

The amendment proposed by Republican Sen. Caryn Tyson raised concerns from Kansas Democrats.

Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau of Wichita said some of her constituents use TANF money to pay for rent and do not have checking accounts. She also raised concern about the trip some recipients have to make to receive the money.

"It's a two-hour trip, and it's not Gilligan's Island," Faust-Goudeau said. "It's a two-hour trip on the bus just to get there, and then back home. So that's four hours in that day."

She also raised question about ATM fees. Republican Sen. Michael O'Donnell expressed worry over the fact that ATM's usually allow withdrawals in $20 bills. However, Sen. Tyson did not budge and the amendment passed.

Democrats attempted to stall the bill with various other amendments, some that would allow for aid it times of recession and others that asked for Gov. Sam Brownback's newly formed social services advisory council to review the bill. However, all these failed due to the Republican supermajority.

"Senate Republicans believe that the best way to overcome poverty is a good paying job," said Senate Majority Leader Terry Bruce, according to the Topeka Capital Journal. "[The bill] shows compassion to those who have truly fallen on hard times."

Kansas Republicans hope the bill will prevent people from misusing state aid money; however, Democrats see it as an attack on those who need help the most.

"I don't think people are proud to be on assistance," Democratic Rep. Barbara Ballard said. "Some people are on it because they don't have anything else. They have hardship and they're going the best they can. We should not be taking that opportunity."