FAST FEEDBACK: Day-care licensing

MICHIGAN (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – Families in West Michigan help each other out all the time, but now the state says they may actually be breaking the law.

The Department of Human Services says Michigan homes must be licensed as day-care facilities if the homeowner watches children on a regular basis, no matter if they're babysitting all day or for just a few minutes.

One Michigan lawmaker is introducing a bill to exempt families from state day care rules after learning of a family in Middleville who had been told to stop watching a friend's child in the morning before he gets on the bus because they aren't a licensed day-care facility.

"Last Wednesday I received a letter that said I was breaking the law," said Nancy Snyder.

Snyder received the letter from the state for allowing her friends' children to come into her home as they wait for the school bus.

"It said that if I was it would be fines and imprisonment," said Snyder.

The possibility of fines and imprisonment come after Snyder would watch the kids for a few minutes a day when they had to leave for work.

"I think it's very sad that we can't help each other out in a community where we're all friends and close and let our kids play," said neighbor Mindy Rose.

Snyder isn't taking any money for the favor she does by watching the kids.

"They're my friends, I would never charge them, they're like family," said Snyder.

So they went to their representative for help.

"It's absolutely outrageous and absurd," said Rep. Brian Calley. "I'm working on legislation right now that would exempt babysitting."

What many consider most absurd is what the state requires for Snyder or anyone else to be able to let their kids friends visit without their parents for more than 28 days of the year.

"That you have a mental and physical evaluation, that you have a radon test and tuberculosis test, fingerprints with a background check, a furnace inspection, and a well and septic inspection," said Rep. Calley.

Snyder and others feel that is a government intrusion that cannot be allowed.

"I'm trying to be responsible and I just get slapped in the face because this law's old and it needs to be changed," said Rose.

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We want to hear from you. Do you think neighbors should be able to care for children without a license from the state, or do you think the regulation is necessary to protect kids?

Leave your comments below and we'll feature some of them on-air at Newschannel 3.