Mich. Comp. Laws § 401.9
If any relative, who shall have been required by such order to relieve or maintain any poor person, shall neglect to do so, and shall neglect to pay the sum prescribed by the court for the support of such poor person, the county department of social welfare or the bureau of social aid of the county department of social welfare may maintain an action against such relatives, as for moneys paid, laid out and expended, and shall recover therein the sum so prescribed by the said court for every period of time as stated in said order during which the said order shall have been disobeyed, up to the time of such recovery, with costs of suit. If any such relative, being of sufficient ability, fails or refuses to obey the order of the court to relieve or maintain any poor person, and upon proceedings duly had for that purpose, has been found guilty of contempt of court for such failure or refusal, the court, on the making of such order, holding such party in contempt, in addition to the other remedies provided by law, may make an order placing such delinquent on probation or may order him confined in the county jail, where his earnings, or at least 1/2 of such earnings, shall be applied to the support of such poor person until the order or decree of such court has been complied with, or until the further order of the court, but for a period of not exceeding 1 year.
MCL 401.9