The Arc of King County celebrated Rep. Tana Senn (D-Mercer Island) for promoting the rights of people with developmental disabilities. Senn was one of three state legislators recognized for their outstanding, caring advocacy and action for the developmental disability community at the annual Parent Coalition Family Picnic in Renton.

“Rep. Senn’s vision for childhood development includes social emotional learning and children’s mental health—both crucial issues for youth with developmental disabilities, who have high rates of co-occurring mental health disorders and who are more likely to suffer from trauma,” Cathy Murahashi of Bellevue said in a press release.

Also highlighted was Senn’s housing legislation that passed this past session. Rep. Senn responded to calls from parents worried about where their adult loved ones with developmental disabilities would go when they could no longer care for them. She carved out a way for parents to donate their homes and ensure their loved ones could stay.

HB 2448 was a creative approach to a desperate housing dilemma for parents of adult children with disabilities. With the bill’s passage, parents can now have peace of mind, the disabled have more housing stability, supported living nonprofits have increased capacity and the state’s Housing Trust Fund can go further.

State Representative Tana Senn represents the 41st State Legislative District which spans Mercer Island, Newcastle, Beaux Arts Village and parts of Bellevue, Renton, Issaquah and Sammamish.