DETROIT -- It was revealed Thursday that thousands of Michigan adults and teenagers may be breaking a state law and not even realize it: Baby-sitting on a regular basis without a license or registration.

The issue came to light after the Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS) ordered a Middleville family to stop caring for a friend's child because the home is not a licensed day care.

According to the state, the homeowner was in violation of the law because she allowed her best friend's children to hang out at the home 15 to 20 minutes each day before and after school.

"I didn't think I was doing anything wrong," said Lisa Snyder. "I'm helping out my best friend. I'm helping out a neighbor. I'm helping a mom trying to provide for her family."

Snyder said she has been hit with a $1,000 fine from the state and could face up to 90 days in jail.

Parents interviewed by Local 4 News Thursday called the fine and baby-sitting crackdown excessive.

"I think that it's really said because in today's economy not everybody can afford to pay people (to babysit)," said Shannon Derouin, a mother from Hazel Park. "If (parents) are looking for someone to take care of their kids for a half hour or an hour, before or after school, I think (the law) makes it more difficult."

Derouin also said she fears the law will prompt more parents to leave children home alone.

A Michigan representative has proposed a bill that would allow families to leave their children in the care of friends without repercussions.

Rep. Brian Calley, R-Portland, said he was shocked to learn about the Snyder case from Middleville.

In addition to the monetary fine, Snyder was informed by the DHS that the family must take CPR training; undergo mental evaluations and have a structural inspection done on the home, before they could be approved as babysitters.

"I'm shocked," said Calley. "We're here (in Lansing) talking about cutting the Promise Scholarship, revenue sharing, health care and everything else, and we're actually funding the 'department of babysitting police.' "

Calley said the requirements being applied to the Snyder case are intended for organized day care services.

Calley said his proposed bill is meant to exempt families from following day care requirements for what is essentially good neighborly baby-sitting, as long as it is simply a favor and no day care business is involved.

"My bill basically allows Michigan residents to be good neighbors," Calley said. "I actually had a hard time believing this outrageous case until I called DHS and they not only confirmed it, but refused to reconsider when I explained the situation."

Calley said under current Michigan law, if someone watches a non-dependent child more than once consistently, no matter the duration, they must be licensed.

"This is a shocking case of government bureaucracy run amok," Calley said. "At a time when the state is being forced to cut health care programs and services to children, it's outrageous that the state has decided to pursue an issue like illegal baby-sitting."