Which laws passed during the 2025 Washington State Legislative session impact the Superior Courts, County Clerks, and Juvenile Departments, and what are those impacts? 

 

A number of bills passed during the 2025 legislative session impacting the Superior Courts. 

 

This Answer contains: 

  • The Bill Number and a link to the complete text of the bill from the Washington State Legislature’s Web site. 
  • A brief summary of the changes or additions created by the bill 
  • Court Awareness/Court Impact/Court Action section addresses the specific system, code, law table, or form changes due to the bill.  Also provided are the related links to updated documentation in the online manuals and links to eService Answers with additional information or instructions related to the bill, if applicable. 
  • Effective date of the law. 
  • Updated items will be documented with *** and the updated item will be highlighted. 
  • Select the bill name in the table of contents below to advance directly to the details for the bill. 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

EHB 1014 – Child Support Schedule

  • Bill #1014
  • Summary – Allows for temporary abatement of child support when the noncustodial parent is in a court-ordered mental health or substance abuse program that substantially limits their ability to pay child support; increases the self-support reserve from 125% to 180% of the federal poverty guidelines for a one-person family; allows parties to deduct mandatory state insurance premiums actually paid from gross income; extends economic table to $50,000 per month; increases floor of economic table to $2,200 and any child support amount less than $1,569 will result in a $50 per month order; clarifies instruction to parties on how to round up income amounts on the Child Support Worksheet; and clarifies that neither parent’s basic support obligation may reduce the parent’s income below the self-support reserve and each child is entitled to a pro rata share of the income, no less than $50 per month per child.
  • Court Impact– Updates to court forms are anticipated.  A list of all updated pattern forms is available at the bottom of this answer.
  • Effective – Sections 1-3, & 14 take effect January 1, 2026; Sections 4-12 take effect April 1, 2027; Section 13 expires August 1, 2026.

 

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SHB 1023 - Cosmetology Licensure Compact

  • Bill #1023
  • Summary – Adopts cosmetology licensure compact as new section in RCW 18.16 to enhance access to and safety of cosmetology services and reduce licensing burdens; prescribes participation requirements; establishes a governing commission and specifies its powers and duties; provides for oversight and dispute resolution; mandates judicial and executive branches implement and enforce; grants commission standing, intervention, and service rights; and voids compact-related orders/judgments entered absent such service.
  • Court Awareness– Use existing MSC Civil Miscellaneous (Case Type 2) for case filings. 
  • Effective – June 1, 2028

 

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HB 1114- Respiratory Care Interstate Compact

  • Bill #1114
  • Summary – Adds a chapter to Title 18 RCW adopting the respiratory care interstate compact to enhance interstate access to respiratory therapy services; establishes participation requirements; creates a governing commission and specifies its powers and duties; mandates courts enforce and implement; grants commission standing, intervention, and service rights in compact-related proceedings; and voids orders and judgments entered absent such service. 
  • Court Awareness– Use existing MSC Civil Miscellaneous (Case Type 2) for case filings.  
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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SHB 1133 – Sexually Violent Predators

  • Bill #1133
  • Summary – Prohibits individuals from earning a supervision compliance credit on any cause served concurrently with a less restrictive alternative subject to supervision by the Department of Corrections. Allows county prosecutors or the Attorney General to execute civil investigative demands to public agencies that may be in possession of material relevant to determine whether to seek a civil commitment of a person as a Sexually Violent Predator. Contents, process and requirements of the civil investigative demand are in a new section of RCW 71.09.
  • Court Impact– A new Civil Cause of Action Code  NFE – Non Financial Enforcement was created for this type of filing.  The NFE will not have an associated filing fee.
    1. The Superior Court Civil Cover Sheets will be updated to add the new cause of action code.
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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SHB 1149 – Cruelty to Animals

  • Bill #1149
  • Summary – Animal Fighting Statute is expanded to include when a person aids or abets in the commission of the offense. Animal Cruelty Statute is expanded to include a person who willfully instigates, engages or furthers any act of animal cruelty. As well as a person in possession, control of, residing with or who has accepted responsibility for an animal and who commits animal cruelty by knowingly, reckless or with criminal negligence abandons or fails to provide medical attention, necessary food or water and that the animal suffers unjustifiable pain is guilty of animal cruelty. Legislation modifies the felony level and seriousness level of the animal fighting and animal cruelty statutes.

 

A person who has been prohibited from owing an animal due to a conviction of animal cruelty or animal fighting who violates this prohibition shall be guilty of a misdemeanor for the first offense, a gross misdemeanor for the second offense and a class C felony for the third or subsequent offense.

  • Court Awareness– The list of law table changes can be found at the bottom of this answer. 
  •  Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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E2SHB 1163 – Enhancing Requirements Relating to the Purchase, Transfer, and Possession of Firearms

  • Bill #1163
  • Summary –Washington State Patrol (WSP) to establish a certification program for firearms safety training programs that meet statutory requirements. WSP to advise a dealer that a transfer of a firearm is delayed if the applicant has an outstanding arrest warrant, and upon confirmation that the warrant is valid, the application is denied. WSP to notify a dealer that an application is delayed when there are existing records of open/pending criminal charges or commitment proceedings or arrest for a disqualifying offense. If application for permit to purchase firearms or concealed pistol license is denied or revoked the issuing authority/WSP shall provide, in writing, the specific grounds or statute on why it was denied or revoked. Revoked or denied applicant may seek relief in superior court under the writ of mandamus statutes (RCW 9.41.0975). 
  • Court Impact– New cause of action may be implemented at a future date, not later than the May 1, 2027, effective date. This answer will be updated if a new cause of action is needed. 
  • Effective – May 1, 2027, except Section 6 which is effective July 27, 2025

 

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E2SHB 1174 – Court Interpreters

  • Bill #1174
  • Summary –Removes language that allowed limited English proficient (LEP) parties to be charged for interpreters in civil cases. Requires courts to use a team of interpreters per the existing requirements in GR 11.4. Revisions were made to the colloquy between the judicial officers and non-credentialed interpreters when interpreters are qualified for a proceeding. Requires courts to submit their language access plan to the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) every two years beginning in 2026. Requires courts to provide information about accessing language access services on their website.
  • Court Awareness– Updates to the Interpreter Bench Book are anticipated. A one-page handout from the AOC Language Access Program about the changes to Language Access Plans is available on the AOC’s public website: Summary of Legislative Updates to RCW 2.43.
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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SHB 1205 - Prohibiting the Knowing Distribution of a Forged Digital Likeness

  • Bill #1205
  • Summary –Criminal Impersonation in the second degree is modified to include knowing distribution of a forged digital likeness. Includes individuals who claim to be or create an impression that a person is a law enforcement officer and individuals who claim to be a veteran or an active-duty member of the armed forces with an intent to defraud for personal gain.
  • Court Awareness–No modification to law table is required. 
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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2SHB 1207 – Superior Court Clerk Fees

  • Bill #1207
  • Summary – Creates a new $50 surcharge collected by Superior Court clerks on certain civil and probate filings: $20 of the surcharge will be deposited in the state library and archives account, $25 will be deposited in the judicial stabilization trust account, and the remaining $5 will be retained by the local county clerk.
  • Court Action – Superior Court clerks will assess affected filing fees as normal. A review of the BARS codes will be completed, and codes will be modified/created as needed for collection of the surcharge. The Cost Fee Code manual will be updated to reflect this change. The case management system will be updated to incorporate the surcharge into existing filing fee codes.
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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SHB 1209 - Sodium Nitrite Sale and Transfer

  • Bill #1209

  • Summary – Adopts “Tyler’s Law” as a new chapter in Title 69 RCW restricting sale or transfer of products containing sodium nitrate concentrations exceeding 10%; establishing labeling, shipping, and record-keeping requirements for permitted transfers; and deeming noncompliance Consumer Protection Act violation with violators subject to penalties and damage suits.
  • Court Awareness– Use existing CPA Civil (Case Type 2) for case filings.
  • Effective – April 7, 2025

 

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EHB 1217 – Residential Tenants

  • Bill #1217
  • Summary – Bars residential rent increases during initial year of tenancy and limits them during any subsequent 12-month period; requires increase notices be substantially in specified-form, contain prescribed content, and include facts and landlord certification of eligibility for any claimed exemptions; specifies time and manner of service for notice and, with limited exceptions, mandates increase not take effect until end of existing term; requires parity among lease types concerning amount of rent; bars landlords from reporting nonpayment of unlawful increases to tenant screening services; permits tenants to terminate tenancy for unauthorized rent increases if certain criteria met. 

 

Authorizes tenant enforcement actions if first provides landlord opportunity to cure; permits Attorney General (AG) enforcement actions regardless of whether tenant offered cure opportunity with AG authorized to recover per violation penalty up to $7.5K and to issue civil investigative demands for pertinent information and materials; requires damage award to tenant if landlord found in violation and also requires in such instance reasonable attorneys’ fees be awarded to party bringing suit.  

  • Court Awareness–Updates to bench book are anticipated. 
  • Effective – May 7, 2025

 

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2SHB 1391 – Juvenile Diversion Programs

  • Bill #1391
  • Summary – Youth who engage in diversion will not have their completed diversion included in their criminal history. In addition, a juvenile’s parent or guardian may not interfere with a youth’s choice to participate in diversion, specifically they cannot decline diversion on behalf of a juvenile and cannot prevent a juvenile from entering into a diversion agreement. Allows the period of diversion to extend beyond the participant’s 18th birthday; and mandates that the courts and communities provide effective services to referred and diverted youth to prevent formal court involvement. Juvenile courts are to provide data to the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), who will use that data in an annual report on the number of Washington youth who enter into formal diversion agreements. 
  • Court Awareness–The AOC is tasked with annual reporting on the number of youths who enter formal and informal diversion programs. If reporting requires additional data not currently available in the system, codes may be requested.  The first report is due July 2026. 
  • Court Impact– Courts may experience an increase in diversions due to the inability of parents or guardians to decline on behalf of a juvenile and extension of the period of diversion.
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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E2SHB 1440 – Seizure and Forfeiture Procedures and Reporting

  • Bill #1440
  • Summary – Prescribes standardized procedures, requirements, and limitations for civil seizure and forfeiture of property; clarifying when and how forfeiture proceedings commenced; addressing ownership disputes, claimant rights, hearings, burden of proof, and removal to court; requiring removals be to district or municipal court if within their jurisdiction and mandating that the court forward copies of real property forfeiture orders to the county assessor; providing for retention, use, and disposition of forfeited property and allowing proceeds to be used for restitution; requiring seized articles be returned in substantially similar condition; and establishing reporting, remittance and other requirements.
  • Court Action – Upon entry of an order of forfeiture of real property, the court must forward a copy of the order of forfeiture of real property to the assessor of the county in which the real property is located. 
  • Effective – January 26, 2026

 

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SHB 1460 - Protection Order Hope Cards

  • Bill #1460
  • Summary – Requires the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to develop and implement a program to issue hope cards in consultation with judicial branch stakeholders; adds the Gender and Justice Commission and representatives from gender-based violence survivor advocacy and legal assistance organizations as stakeholders; allows for individual courts to develop and implement a program for the issuance of hope cards; requires that the clerk of the court and the AOC issue the cards in a scannable format; and include information related to firearm restrictions when the means and information becomes available. 
  • Court Awareness – If courts have the means and information, they may issue hope cards.  If courts choose to develop and implement a program for issuance of hope cards, the Clerk must issue the card in a scannable format and include information related to firearm restrictions when the means and information becomes available.  Eligibility for Hope Cards is also expanding to Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs).
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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ESHB 1596 – Accountability for Persons for Speeding

  • Bill #1596
  • Summary – Requires that people found guilty of excessive speeding are restricted to using vehicles equipped with an intelligent speed assistance device for at least six months. Defines excessive speeding as driving at 20 miles per hour or greater in excess of the posted speed limit if the posted limit is greater than 40 miles an hour, or 10 miles per hour or greater in excess of the posted speed limit if the limit is 40 miles per hour or less. Defines intelligent speed assistance device as a technical device designed to be installed within a motor vehicle to monitor and prevent a driver from exceeding a preset limit. Outlines the criteria of when a person may not drive a motor vehicle without a functioning intelligent speed assistance device as well as determines eligibility for installation, repair, maintenance, monitoring, or removal of an intelligent speed assistance device upon application to the Department of Licensing.

 

Creates two gross misdemeanors when 1) a person is found to tamper or interfere with the intelligent speed assistance device or asks another person to tamper or interfere with the device, and 2) a person is found to knowingly assist a person who is restricted to using the device. Adds that during the first 120 days of the period of probation following the period of suspension, a person who is required to drive a vehicle with an intelligent speed assistance device will receive a traffic infraction if they are found to operate a vehicle without the device; adds that for nonresidents, the period of probation is 150 days; and that any traffic infraction for a moving violation committed during the period of probation results in an additional 30 day suspension or revocation. Requires a person using an intelligent speed assistance device to be responsible for operation of device and to pay fees for cost of device, unless waived.

 

Adds that persons who have applied for a temporary restricted driver’s license because of a suspended license and persons who have applied for an occupational driver’s license because of an administrative suspension due to an accumulation of moving violations and at least one violation is for excessive speeding are required to use a properly functioning intelligent speed assistance device when operating a motor vehicle.

  • Court Action – Sentencing conditions may be added to Enterprise Justice at the request of the Clerk if needed. 
  • Effective – January 1, 2029

 

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ESHB 1620 –Parenting Plan Limitations

  • Bill #1620
  • Summary – Addresses limitations on parents who engage in conduct that creates an unreasonable risk of harm to their child(ren). A new section is added to RCW 26.09 that only addresses limitations on parents who have either been convicted of a sex offense against a child or found to have sexually abused a child; or reside with a person who has been convicted of a sex offense against a child or has sexually abused a child.
  • Court Awareness–Updates to the Family Law bench book are anticipate. 
  • Court Impact– A list of all updated pattern forms is available at the bottom of this answer.
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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SHB 1621 – Authorizing Superior Courts to Appoint Housing Court Commissioners

  • Bill #1621
  • Summary – Authorizes Superior Courts, with the approval of their county legislative authority, to appoint one or more attorneys to act as commissioners to aid the court with residential unlawful detainer cases; clarifies commissioner powers and duties; and mandates they receive specified training from the Administrative Office of the Courts.
  • Court Awareness–Courts may submit an eService ticket to request commissioner resources and sessions be added in Enterprise Justice as needed.  
  • Effective – Immediately

 

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SHB 1815 – Prison Riot Offenses

  • Bill #1815
  • Summary – Changes the current practice related to prison riot offenses by excluding county juvenile detention facilities and facilities operated by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) as institutions where a prison riot offense could arise. In addition to requiring prosecutors to file motions for relief for those charged with prison riot offenses since April 25, 2020, those who have been charged with a prison riot offense while incarcerated in a county juvenile facility or a DCYF facility may motion the court for relief, depending on if the prison riot offense was used as the basis for sentencing related to a conviction, adjudication, or disposition. Lastly, DCYF is tasked with addressing prison riot behavior by using their internal behavioral infraction system, and DCYF may impose infractions on prison riot behavior related to a prison riot offense that was vacated by the courts. 
  • Court Impact– Courts may experience an increase in motions to vacate or for other relief.  
  • Effective – Immediately

 

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ESHB 1829 – Tribal Warrants

  • Bill #1829
  • Summary – Certified and Non-Certified Tribes that are demanding extradition of a tribal member who is a fugitive under the Tribal Warrants Act shall have standing in any state court hearing to test the legality of the extradition. Tribal Court may file a warrant at the superior court in which the tribe is physically located. If the Superior Court finds that a tribal warrant is properly issued and the Superior Court makes a finding that probable cause exists that a tribal fugitive is subject to a tribal warrant, the court must issue a state warrant for arrest which shall expire 6 months after issuance. Any judicial proceedings involving a tribal fugitive subject to a state warrant shall take place in the county where they are detained. Any person who has been charged with a commission of a crime by a federally recognized tribe within the state who has fled from justice, escaped from confinement or broken the terms of prohibition shall be issued a warrant by a Washington State Judge to apprehend the individual.
  • Court Awareness–Updates to the Criminal Bench Book are anticipated. 
  • Court Impact– A new Criminal Cause of Action Code  TXT – Tribal Extradition was created for this type of filing.  The tribal extradition case initiation process will follow the process already in place for the Criminal Extradition (EXT) cases. 
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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SB 5021 – Retention of Court Exhibits

  • Bill #5021
  • Summary – The retention period for court exhibits is reduced from 6 years to 5 years.
  • Court Awareness–Updates to the Criminal Bench Book are anticipated. 
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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SB 5037 – Uniform Custodial Trust Act

  • Bill #5037

  • Summary – Adopts “Uniform Custodial Trust Act” as new chapter in Title 11 RCW addressing, inter alia: trust creation and administration; trust property; powers and duties of trustee; use of trust property; liability of trust and trustee; removal of trustee; accountings; termination; and distributions on termination.
  • Court Awareness–Clerks may use existing trustee connection code in Enterprise Justice. 
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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ESB 5065 – Traveling Animal Acts

  • Bill #5065
  • Summary – Creates a new gross misdemeanor for a traveling animal act that utilizes certain covered animals, constituting a new chapter in Title 9 RCW. Permanent facilities are exempt if they are licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture and performances are conducted by that facility. A city or county may adopt a more restrictive ordinance. 
  • Court Awareness– The list of law table changes can be found at the bottom of this answer.
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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SSB 5104 – Immigration Status Coercion 

  • Bill #5104
  • Summary – Bars employers from using or threatening to use the immigration status of their employees [or their employees’ family members] to coerce employees into acquiescing to employer’s violations of specified wage and labor laws; authorizes employee complaints to Department of Labor and Industries and imposition of administrative penalties; provides for administrative appeals and judicial review of final agency determinations; and prohibits employers from disclosing personal information concerning employee or their family members absent employee consent. 
  • Court Awareness– Use existing EMP Civil (Case Type 2) for case filings.
  • Effective – July 1, 2025

 

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SSB 5149 – Early Childhood Court Program

  • Bill #5149
  • Summary –Expands access to Early Childhood Courts by allowing families with children under the age of six to participate, instead of under the age of three. By increasing the age of the children whose families may participate in this program, the Early Childhood Courts are able to operate at their full capacity.
  • Court Impact– Participation in the program may increase due to the expansion of the age of the children whose families may participate. 
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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ESSB 5202 – Judicial Orders

  • Bill #5202
  • Summary –Provides for prosecutor offices’ use of the confidential information sheet, requires the issuance of a protective order if the confidential information sheet is wrongfully disclosed, allow minors protected by a protection order who reach the age of 18 to file for renewal, permits the petitioner to file a motion to modify or terminate an ex-parte order without notice if the respondent has not yet been served, adds a provision disfavoring issuing mutual full protection orders, and provides that judicial officers presiding over full hearings who reissue a temporary order may modify the terms to remedy an error or based on the facts of the case. Unlawful possession of a firearm in the first degree was amended to include untraceable or undetectable firearms. 
  • Court Awareness– The list of law table changes can be found at the bottom of this answer
  • Court Impact– A new pattern form for Petition and Motion to Renew Protection Order – Protected Minors will be published.  A list of all updated pattern forms is available at the bottom of this answer.
  • Court Action – If a protected minor reaches age 18 while a protection order is still effective, the minor may file a motion for renewal as the petitioner. The Clerk must issue a new cause number for these renewals and must include the previous protection order with the petition for renewal in the new case file. The Clerk may relate the two cases in Enterprise Justice.  A new docket code of PTROPPM – Petition and Motion to Renew Protection Order - Protected Minor 
  • Effective – July 27, 2025, except Section 1 which is effective March 31, 2026

 

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E2SSB 5217 – Pregnancy Accommodations

  • Bill #5217

  • Summary – Allows a person who breastfeeds or expresses breast milk for an infant under the age of 24 months to request a delay in, or to be excused from, jury service. Courts must grant this request if the person attests that they are unable to serve. 

 

Defines unfair practices of employers towards their pregnant employees and describes different avenues of relief. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is tasked to enforce this act by investigating complaints, imposing civil penalties, and posting online educational materials explaining the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees. In addition, a pregnant person may file a civil cause of action in addition to a complaint with L&I. 

  • Court Awareness– Use existing EMP Civil (Case Type 2) for case filings.
  • Court Action – Courts must grant requests to delay or excuse jury service for persons who breastfeed or express breast milk for infants under 24 months of age. 
  • Effective – January 1, 2027

 

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ESSB 5219 – Partial Confinement Eligibility and Alignment

  • Bill #5219

  • Summary – Partial Confinement Program Statutes (Community Parenting Alterative, Graduated Reentry; Work Release) are modified to increase the amount of time a person can be in the program from one year to 18 months. Community Parenting Alternative is modified to expand eligible individuals to include caregivers who have a substantial relationship that existed at the time of the offense; individuals who are expected to take over the duties of a caregiver or parent who have a proven established and ongoing relationship with the minor child. The Department of Corrections (DOC) may extend individuals participation in Community Parenting Alternative up to six months.

 

Work release statute is modified to allow an individual to participate in the final 18 months of their term of confinement. The Graduated Reentry Program statute is modified to allow individuals who have served at least 6 months in total confinement to participate for no more than the final nine months in a Graduated Reentry Program. Individuals who are qualified to participate in up to 18 months in a Graduated Reentry Program, the minimum amount of time to serve in total confinement is modified to three months.

 

Participation in a Community Parenting Alternative, Graduated Reentry or Work Release program requires DOC to conduct a comprehensive substance use assessment before allowing transfer to any of these programs. If an individual is diagnosed with a substance abuse disorder, DOC is to assist the individual to enroll in a substance abuse disorder program as soon as practicably possible.

  • Court Awareness– Updates to the Criminal Bench Book are anticipated.
  • Effective – July 27, 2025, except Section 3 which takes effect January 1, 2026

 

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ESSB 5291 – Long-Term Services and Trust Commission

  • Bill #5291
  • Summary –Implements recommendations of the long-term services and supports trust commission concerning, without limitation: eligibility and participation; exemptions [and rescission of exemptions]; costs; collection and remittance of premiums; benefits; rights, powers and obligations of those involved; claims; and compliance. Mandates covered employers collect and remit premiums, provide reports, and retain records; provides for administrative enforcement and judicial review of administrative decisions; affords enforcing entity priority lien on violating employers’ property, permits collection and lien foreclosure actions and suits to enjoin violators from conducting business until the delinquency is cured or sufficient bond is posted; provides for distraint, seizure and sale in certain instances; bars certain out-of-state participants from withdrawing from program; automatically exempts certain active-duty military personnel and nonimmigrant visa holders from participation; allows those previously exempted by attestation of other coverage to rescind exemption by July 1, 2028; provides for limited pilot program to assess program processes and capacities; and establishes standards and requirements for supplemental long-term care insurance policies designed to provide coverage once program benefits are exhausted.
  • Court Awareness– Use existing EMP Civil (Case Type 2) for case filings.
  • Effective – Various

 

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ESB 5313 – Rental Agreement Provisions

  • Bill #5313
  • Summary –Bars residential rental agreements entered or renewed after Act’s effective date from including provisions requiring tenant to: waive or forego right to bring, join, or participate in cause of action against landlord; sign nondisclosure agreement concerning specified matters; pay landlord's attorney’s fees; arbitrate disputes; or use and pay for “nonessential services” [as defined in bill].
  • Court Awareness–Updates to the Civil Procedure Bench Book are anticipated. 
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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SSB 5323 – Penalties for Theft and Possession of Stolen Property from First Responders

  • Bill #5323
  • Summary – Theft in the first degree and receiving stolen property in the first degree is expanded to included stealing or receiving property that is critical for the work of emergency medical services and firefighters. The property is stolen from a fire department or station; an emergency vehicle or facility or if the property has a value of over $1000. Theft in the first degree and receiving property in the first degree are both Class B felonies. Court Awareness– The list of law table changes can be found at the bottom of this answer.  
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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ESSB 5480 – Medical Debt

  • Bill #5480
  • Summary – Modifies and expands definition of “medical debt”; bars covered health care providers and collection agencies from reporting such debt to consumer credit reporting agencies and voids debt if they do; prohibits credit reporting agencies from including such debt in credit reports; deems noncompliance Consumer Protection Act violation and, for health care providers, also a licensing violation.
  • Court Awareness– Use existing CPA Civil (Case Type 2) for case filings. 
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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ESSB 5525 – Employment Loss Due to Business Closing or Mass Layoffs

  • Bill #5525
  • Summary – Adds chapter to Title 49 RCW which, with limited specified exceptions, bars covered employers from ordering business closures or mass layoffs for 60-days from date they provided written notice with specified content to affected employees and Employment Security Department; prohibits inclusion of employees on paid family and medical leave in layoff or closure absent applicable exception; authorizes administrative penalties and employee actions for violations; and provides for administrative appeals and judicial review of agency decisions.
  • Court Awareness– Use existing EMP Civil (Case Type 2) for case filings.
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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E2SSB 5651 – Garnishment Exemptions

  • Bill #5651
  • Summary – Increases the amount of personal property in financial accounts and securities automatically exempt from execution, attachment, and garnishment (collectively “garnishment”) in non-bankruptcy proceedings for consumer debt from $1000 to $2000; makes automatic non-bankruptcy proceeding exemptions permanent; requires personal property exemption amount be adjusted and reported triennially by Department of Revenue beginning 7/1/2027; exempts monies paid or owed to debtor as alimony or spousal support from garnishment; clarifies garnishment exemptions inapplicable to collection actions by alimony and spousal support agencies; and modifies garnishment forms and instructions to reflect changes.
  • Court Awareness–Updates to the Civil Procedure Bench Book are anticipated. 
  • Court Impact– A list of all updated pattern forms is available at the bottom of this answer.
  • Effective – July 1, 2025

 

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SB 5669 – Irrigation District Elections

  • Bill #5669
  • Summary – Authorizes irrigation district electors to vote by absentee ballot, without requiring a certification. Elections may be conducted using only mail-in ballots in lieu of polling places and absentee ballots. Establishes new gross misdemeanors for irrigation district election and election security violations.
  • Court Awareness– The list of law table changes can be found at the bottom of this answer. 
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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SB 5680 – Mobility Equipment Repair

  • Bill #5680
  • Summary – Adds chapter to Title 19 RCW which, with specified exceptions, requires original manufacturers of mobility equipment to make certain parts, software, tools, documentation, and materials available to independent repair providers and device owners at reasonable cost on reasonable terms to afford additional repair options and minimize repair-related delays; immunizes manufacturers from liability for losses caused by independent providers or owners; requires independents provide owners written notice with specified content before commencing repairs; deems noncompliance Consumer Protection Act violation; and authorizes Attorney General enforcement actions.
  • Court Awareness– Use existing CPA Civil (Case Type 2) for case filings.
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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