Public Health

SB 297 (Hurtado, D-Bakersfield)

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May 23 hearing on the Senate Appropriations Committee suspense file.

SB 297 would require that, starting Jan. 1, 2028, adults receiving primary care in regions with a high incidence of valley fever be offered a screening test, unless specific exceptions apply — such as prior testing, inability to consent, or emergency department treatment. Beginning June 1, 2027, most health insurance plans must cover these tests at no cost to patients in high-incidence areas. This bill would also task the California Department of Public Health with identifying high-incidence regions, standardizing screening protocols, and providing training materials for providers. Local health departments would also be required to conduct public outreach, track compliance, and report data to strengthen valley fever prevention efforts.