A coffee chat with State Rep. Lauren Davis

State Representative Lauren Davis recently discussed her legislative accomplishments in the 2025 session, focusing on the Domestic Violence Co-Responder bill (HB 1498) and the Certified Peer Support Specialists bill (SHB 1427). The co-responder initiative aims to connect police with domestic violence victim advocates, significantly improving survivor support through direct engagement. Davis explained the need for local funding, as the bill requires a matching program to encourage local police departments to participate. She acknowledged the challenges posed by budget constraints, which limit the ability to launch new initiatives. The bills garnered broad bipartisan support, showcasing a collective effort to tackle pressing social issues.

Davis highlighted the low engagement rates with traditional victim support methods, emphasizing the effectiveness of personal outreach. She represents the 32nd district, which includes parts of Seattle and surrounding communities. The funding for the co-responder program is projected to generate between $4 million and $4. 2 million annually from marriage license fees, although it may not fully meet the program's needs.