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Washington state’s 105-day legislative session adjourned on Sunday, April 27, 2025. Occurring in odd-numbered years, the longer session kicks off the first half of the state’s biennial legislative session. This year was a challenging session for lawmakers as they grappled with a projected budget shortfall between $12 billion and $15 billion over the next 4 years. The 2025 legislative session was described by many legislators as one of the most difficult in recent years due to the significant budget shortfall, many new taxes and fee increases, intense debates on key issues like education and public safety, and an increase in civic engagement and opposition to bills. Despite these hurdles, lawmakers managed to pass 431 bills this legislative session.

WSDA advocated in support of as well as in opposition to several bills concerning dental-related issues, workforce challenges, insurance matters, small business issues, employer-employee matters, and other related topics. The following is a summary of legislation that may impact you as a provider, business owner, or employee.

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Legislation Summarized

Insurance-Related Legislation

• Prohibiting Unfair and Deceptive Dental Insurance Practices.
• Setting Health Carrier Requirements for “Good Faith” Contract Negotiation

• Creating an Oral Preventive Assistant 
• Creating a Health Care Entity Registry
• Medical Debt Reporting  
• Limiting Health Care Nondisclosure Agreements
• Health Care Mergers and Acquisitions

• Concerning Access to Personnel Records 
• Regulating Anesthetic Greenhouse Gases
• B&O Tax Modification

• Adult Dental Medicaid Reimbursement Reduction
• Pediatric Dental Medicaid Reimbursement Reduction
• Regional Initiatives in Dental Education (RIDE) Program
• University of Washington School of Dentistry
• Dentist Link
• Skagit Valley College Dental Therapy Program
• PEBB/SEBB Dental Coverage Expansion

• Community Health Association of Spokane (CHAS)
• Columbia Basin Health Association
• HealthPoint (Tukwila)
• Peninsula Community Health Services
• Tri-Cities Community Health
• Yakima Neighborhood Health Services
• Eastern Washington University Dental Therapy Lab and Clinic
• New Health Medical Dental Behavioral Workforce

Once you text “WSDA” to “52886,” you will be asked for your name, the zip code where you are registered to vote, and your email address. After answering those questions, you will be entered into the system and will receive a text message every time we need you to respond to an action alert.