House OKs bill after babysitting flap

LANSING, Mich. (WOOD) - The Michigan House has voted unanimously to exempt babysitting from day care regulations after the state ordered a woman to stop watching her friend's children before school.

The legislation approved 107-0 Wednesday next goes to the Senate.

In August, the Michigan Department of Human Services sent a letter to Lisa Snyder of Barry County's Irving Township, which is 25 miles south of Grand Rapids.

It warned her that if she continued watching three children for about an hour each day before they got on their school bus, she'd be violating a law aimed at the operators of unlicensed day care centers.

"The simplest little deed (went) ... way out of proportion," Snyder said. "It was surprising, shocking; I couldn't believe it. I didn't even know the law existed."

She and her neighbors have been splashed across the national spotlight, even highlighted by the 'Today Show.'

"We never, ever in a million years would have thought it would get to this," Snyder said. "We're grateful. We thank all the supporters. It's been an interesting ride."

The stay-at-home mom says she's glad to help her working-parent friends and in the meantime, she and her children hope this bill quickly turns into a law so things can return to normal.

"Within the next month ... hopefully, all of this will be done," Snyder said.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm has instructed the department to work with lawmakers to change the law so people providing free baby-sitting service won't need day care licenses.

24 Hour News 8 reporter Jessica Leffler contributed to this report.