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Daly City library trustees endorse opioid-overdose prevention policy
Summary
At its Sept. 17 meeting, the Daly City Library Board of Trustees unanimously endorsed a revised opioid overdose prevention policy that clarifies naloxone use by community members and removes incorrect language about fentanyl skin exposure.
The Daly City Library Board of Trustees on Sept. 17 unanimously endorsed a revised opioid overdose prevention policy that clarifies community use of naloxone and corrects factual language about fentanyl exposure.
Library staff presented the updated draft and said it incorporated changes requested at the prior meeting, including language that clarifies "members of the community could make use of the naloxone to rescue someone, if they were comfortable doing that," and the removal of erroneous wording implying fentanyl can pass instantly through skin. The staff presentation emphasized the policy is intended to give guidance to staff and the public on responding to overdoses.
Trustee Lex moved to endorse the revised draft and to forward it to City Council; the motion was seconded and approved by a voice vote. Trustee Lex stated during the meeting, "I move that we endorse this revised draft and support it and forward it to City Council." The board then voted in favor; no recorded roll-call names were given during the voice vote but all present trustees responded "aye."
During discussion, a trustee asked whether a bystander who administers naloxone might face legal liability. Staff cited California's Good Samaritan protections as generally applicable while noting that, in practice, anyone can technically be sued. Staff compared the liability environment to use of AEDs and CPR, explaining similar practical protections and expectations for bystanders.
Trustees also proposed two minor editorial edits to improve clarity: replace a generic collective pronoun in the purpose statement with "Daly City Public Libraries" and insert the article "an" in an FAQ line that reads "not experiencing an overdose." Staff indicated they would make the suggested wording changes before final implementation.
The board recorded the adoption by voice vote and directed staff to implement the policy; staff also said they would make the agreed edits and bring implementation steps to the board if needed.
The policy clarifications address library staff and patrons' roles in overdose response and emphasize existing legal protections under California law. The board took no additional formal action at the meeting beyond endorsing the revised draft.
The board is scheduled to take up agenda items including an app demo and liaison outreach at future meetings.
