Michigan law currently prohibits eavesdropping - even when it’s a parent listening in on a phone conversation.
But a new house bill hopes to change that.
In 1988 a Michigan woman filed criminal charges against her then husband over phone recordings he took of her conversations with their son.
Courts sided with the woman, saying if parents were exempt from the state’s eavesdropping law it would have been explicitly stated.
But Republican State Representative Peter Lucido said he sees that language as a challenge to legislators.
“Why wouldn’t we have that right when we have ultimate financial as well as legal responsibility for our children?”
Representative Lucido said especially at a time when parents have a responsibility to monitor not just phone calls but also email, texts, and web searches it is important they not get hit with felony charges for doing so. Lucido says currently a parent could face two-years in prison and a two-thousand dollar fine for eavesdropping on their child.
“So here’s the reality: do we want parents to be charged with taking supervision and control of their children? I think the answers no. This is senseless.”
Lucido’s bill is currently in a House committee awaiting a hearing.