Valley Fever Screening and Prevention Act of 2025.

Senator Hurtado's Valley Fever Screening and Prevention Act establishes a comprehensive screening program requiring healthcare providers in high-risk areas to offer valley fever tests to adult patients receiving primary care services. The California Department of Public Health must identify regions with elevated valley fever rates by March 2027 and provide local health departments with infection data and standardized screening protocols.

Starting January 2028, healthcare facilities in designated high-incidence areas must offer valley fever screening tests to adult primary care patients, with exceptions for emergency care, previous screening, or lack of capacity to consent. The legislation requires health plans and insurers to cover these screenings without cost-sharing beginning June 2027. Medi-Cal will also include valley fever screening as a covered benefit, pending federal approval.

Local health departments in affected regions must conduct public outreach about valley fever risks and prevention while reporting confirmed cases annually to state officials. The Department of Public Health will evaluate the screening program's implementation beginning January 2030 and every two years thereafter. Healthcare providers cannot face disciplinary action or liability for failing to offer screening tests, though facilities must provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services when conducting screenings.