Child Injury Lawyer Blog
By Andrew Prine, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Michigan, Governor Jennifer Granholm signed a law into effect to help distinguish or define babysitting from required day care licensing. The law states that babysitting is exempt from Michigan licensing and regulation if the babysitting is provided for free or involves less than $600.00 per year of annual payment or income. See Michigan Law Clarifies Babysitting / Day Care.
A friend or neighbor who gratuitously watches a child is not subject to regulation. With or without this law in effect, there is a problem in Michigan and other States with people who operate a day care center without obtaining a proper license. Parents should be wary and cautious about using such facilities. Without State oversight and inspections, many unlicensed day care centers have safety and supervision issues that put children in danger.