Inslee issues new proclamations on criminal statutes, CDLs and garnishments

Statement

Gov. Jay Inslee signed three new proclamations today in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The orders impact criminal statute of limitations, make it easier to renew commercial driver licenses and learner permits, and protect consumer assets, including federal stimulus checks, from consumer debt collections.

"As the COVID-19 situation develops, we must constantly evolve our state systems to ensure that our communities are supported and set up to get through this outbreak," Inslee said.

The three proclamations are as follows:

-Criminal statutes: The proclamation suspends statutes of limitations for all crimes and waives the 1-year limitation on raising post-conviction challenges in criminal convictions. The order is designed to allow more time for prosecutors to file criminal charges and also to allow more time for those convicted of crimes to challenge those convictions in court.
-Department of Licensing -- CDL and CLP statutes: The proclamation waives certain statutory barriers for renewing or extending commercial driver licenses and commercial learner permits in order to align with the federal statutes waived by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This order will allow commercial truckers to stay on the road to keep supply chains fully stocked.
-Garnishment: The proclamation suspends statutes that permit collection of consumer debt judgments, including bank account and wage garnishments and waives accrual of post-judgment interest on consumer debt judgments during the period of this order. This order is designed to protect consumer assets, including federal stimulus checks, from consumer debt collections.

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