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Hogan Orders Stimulus Payments Protected from Garnishment

March 15th, 2021 by WCBC Radio

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan on Monday issued an emergency order prohibiting the garnishment of direct payments given to state residents under the latest federal coronavirus relief bill.

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 provides most taxpayers with $1,400 direct payments, which started depositing into bank accounts following the bill's passage last week.

“For more than a year now, COVID-19 has caused incredible hardships for the people of our nation and our state,” Hogan said in a statement. “This funding is intended to support working families and struggling Marylanders, and we are committed to doing everything possible to protect this much-needed relief for those who need it most.”

The order also directs financial institutions to consider the payments protected and not subject to a court-ordered garnishment.

Last April, the governor similarly barred garnishments of rebates issued under the CARES Act.