China's top legislature opened its bimonthly session Monday to deliberate draft laws and amendments concerning civil procedure, mental health, the safety of special equipment and tourism, among others.
A draft law on mental health, tabled for a second reading, stipulates that institutions and individuals should protect the privacy of mentally ill people by preventing leaks of private information, such as their names, addresses and employment status.
The draft law was submitted Monday at the five-day session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), the country's top legislature, after its first reading in October last year.
The draft, which is expected to eliminate abuses regarding compulsory mental health treatment, allows patients and their relatives to lodge lawsuits against the government, medical institutions and individuals if they feel their legal rights have been harmed.
The draft also requires the government to provide special support for mental illness treatment in rural and poverty-stricken regions and provide more funding for medical facilities at community and village level.
A draft amendment to the Civil Procedure Law tabled for a third reading allows third parties to appeal court decisions if they have evidence that the court's verdict, ruling or mediation has violated their rights and interests.
The draft also revises the amount of money people can seek in small claims courts to 30 percent of the average yearly wage in the province, autonomous region or municipality in which the case is heard.
A draft law on tourism that aims to promote the development of the country's booming travel industry includes operating standards for travel-related businesses and scenic areas, as well as a clause prohibiting travel agencies from forcing tourists to purchase goods.
