VIDEO | Rep. Joshua Penner: Expanding Dental care access for developmental disability community (Amendment 2101 to Senate Bill 5998)

March 3, 2026

Rep. Joshua Penner, R-Orting, speaks on the House floor in support of Amendment 2101 to Senate Bill 5998, the supplemental operating budget. This amendment, which was successfully adopted, marks a significant step forward in addressing a critical gap in healthcare for Washingtonians with developmental disabilities.

Accessing routine dental care is a major hurdle for many individuals in the developmental disability community due to specific medical or behavioral needs. Penner highlights that while community dental care is often unavailable for those with high acuity levels, Washington’s Residential Habilitation Centers (RHCs) possess the specialized facilities and expertise—such as dentists, specialized chairs, and appropriate clinical environments—needed to provide this care.

The adopted amendment directs the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to develop a formal plan for a pilot program. This program would allow clients living in community settings to access dental services at RHCs, maximizing the use of existing state resources without requiring new capital expansions. By utilizing the current physical footprint of these clinics, the state can provide essential treatments and care coordination for those who are currently underserved by the general dental system.

Penner’s efforts with this amendment align with his legislative work on House Bill 2202, which specifically proposes a dental care pilot at the Rainier School. DSHS is required to submit the implementation plan for this broader pilot program to the Legislature by December 1, 2026.