Children in Michigan are closer to being able to run lemonade stands without permits or licensing fees after state lawmakers unanimously approved a bill aimed at protecting young entrepreneurs.
House Bill 6007 passed the Michigan House on June 25 and would exempt qualifying child-run lemonade stands from the state's food licensing and permit requirements. The proposal now heads to the Michigan Senate.
Introduced by State Representative Cam Cavitt, the bill applies to minors selling lemonade and other non-alcoholic drinks that don't require refrigeration or temperature control. To qualify, a stand must earn less than $5,000 per year.
Cavitt said he introduced the legislation after children in his district were told they would have to pay recurring fees to continue operating a neighborhood lemonade stand.
According to Cavitt, one group of children in Presque Isle County was informed they would need to pay $57 every two weeks to sell lemonade at a local farmers market.
Current rules vary across Michigan, with some local health departments requiring permits while others do not.
If approved by the Senate and signed into law, the bill would create a statewide exemption, allowing qualifying child-run lemonade stands to operate without permits or licensing fees.