The bill amends RCW 6.27.340 and RCW 6.27.350 to update the requirements for garnishment forms used in the state of Washington. It mandates that the first answer provided by an employer in response to a writ of garnishment must be completed using a form developed by the Washington pattern forms committee or a substantially equivalent form. This answer must include detailed information about the defendant's employment status, earnings, and any preexisting garnishments. Additionally, the bill specifies that if the plaintiff fails to comply with these requirements, the employer may treat the garnishment as one that does not create a continuing lien.

Furthermore, the bill clarifies the process for the garnishee's response to the garnishment for a continuing lien. It establishes that the lien on the defendant's earnings will continue until the total amount subject to the lien equals the amount stated on the writ or until the expiration of the employer's payroll period, whichever comes first. The bill also requires the plaintiff to send a second answer form to the garnishee at the expected termination of the lien, and the garnishee must file a second answer within 20 days of receiving this form, detailing the total amount held under the garnishment.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 6.27.340, 6.27.350