Bill > HB2386

This bill modifies Washington state law concerning garnishment forms, which is a legal process where a court orders a third party, like an employer or bank, to withhold money from a debtor to pay off a debt. Specifically, it mandates that employers use a standardized "first answer" form developed by the Washington pattern forms committee, or a substantially similar one, when garnishing an employee's wages. This form requires employers to provide detailed information about the employee's employment status, any existing garnishments, and a precise calculation of earnings subject to garnishment, including deductions and exempt amounts. The bill also updates the duration of a continuing lien on earnings from sixty days to "60" days and clarifies the process for the "second answer" form, which employers must file to report the total amount withheld at the end of the garnishment period, ensuring a more consistent and transparent procedure for both employers and employees involved in wage garnishments.