A coffee chat with State Rep. Lauren Davis

In a recent interview, State Rep. Lauren Davis discussed her legislative achievements, focusing on two bipartisan bills designed to support domestic violence survivors and improve mental health access. The Domestic Violence Co-Responder bill (HB 1498) links law enforcement with non-police advocates and clinicians, funded through a marriage license fee, while the Certified Peer Support Specialists bill (SHB 1427) allows individuals in recovery to receive certification as peer support specialists. Davis acknowledged the difficulties of legislative work in a financially constrained environment, yet successfully garnered bipartisan support for her initiatives. She emphasized that direct human engagement significantly improves victim engagement with services, as opposed to relying solely on informational pamphlets.

Davis noted that local police departments will need to contribute financially to implement the co-responder model effectively. The funding generated from marriage licenses is estimated to serve around 40,000 couples annually. Representing the 32nd district, Davis has been a consistent advocate for human services and has been reelected four times since 2018. Davis's efforts reflect a broader commitment to addressing domestic violence and mental health issues in her community.