Michigan Volunteer Background Checks: ICHAT, MiLEAP & the Four Settings (2026)
September 12, 2026
Michigan has no statute requiring volunteers in general to be checked. The law names volunteers in four settings (licensed child care, children's camps, area agencies on aging and child placing agencies), and the State Police's ICHAT name check is free to a nonprofit charitable agency. This video covers which Michigan volunteers need what.
In this video
- Four settings, not one mandate
- ICHAT: Michigan's free name-based check for nonprofits
- Licensed child care: supervised vs. unsupervised volunteers
- Children's camps: names, references and the Central Registry
- Area agencies on aging, child placing agencies and reporting
- Under MCL 28.273(2), the State Police's $10 ICHAT fee "must not be charged" to a nonprofit charitable agency running employment or volunteer name checks through ICHAT. The fee language runs until October 1, 2027. ICHAT searches Michigan records only; ask MSP how to set up fee-exempt access.
- In licensed child care, an unpaid volunteer 16 or older with unsupervised access to children needs MiLEAP's fingerprint eligibility determination first, updated at least every five years. A volunteer who is supervised at all times needs a public sex offender registry clearance before any contact.
- Camp volunteers with direct care or unsupervised contact need a documented criminal record in the personnel file, three unrelated references, and a Central Registry clearance at 21 or older. Only camp administrators are fingerprinted.
- Area agencies on aging check volunteers before their first client contact, then every three years.
- Schools must check employees and regular contractors under MCL 380.1230, not volunteers.
- The Child Protection Law's definition of child abuse reaches any adult "involved with a youth program," and every licensed child care volunteer signs a statement that they are a mandated reporter.
Key points
Get the free Michigan guide, "The Mitten Map," with every statute cited:
Michigan volunteer background check requirements at a glance:
Michigan camp screening requirements:
ICHAT covers Michigan records only. VolunteerBadge complements it with a national criminal search, all-50-state sex-offender registries and identity verification, for $5 a check with no setup fee, contract or per-seat fee. A VolunteerBadge check never replaces a MiLEAP eligibility determination, a registry or Central Registry clearance, or an area agency on aging check where Michigan law requires one.
This video summarizes our Michigan guide. Where they differ, the guide and the statutes it cites control. It's general information, not legal advice; confirm your obligations with your licensing agency or an attorney.
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