SB 297: Valley Fever Screening and Prevention Act of 2025.

The bill aims to improve public health by raising awareness of valley fever, a disease caused by a fungus that affects the lungs. It requires the state department of public health to annually analyze and identify regions with elevated rates of valley fever and provide local health departments with detailed infection data and screening protocols. The bill also requires local health departments to conduct outreach to health care providers and the general public to raise awareness of valley fever risks and prevention strategies. Additionally, the bill mandates that adult patients in high-incidence regions receive valley fever screening, unless specified circumstances exist. If the screening suggests testing, the health care provider must offer diagnostic testing and care for valley fever management. The bill also prohibits health care providers from being subject to disciplinary action for…