Draft to protect good Samaritans

Draft regulations aimed at protecting good Samaritans and their families in Henan province would block companies from firing employees, including those unable to work due to injuries sustained in an act of bravery.

The proposals, which are open to public feedback until April 30, also include rewards of up to 100,000 yuan ($14,500) and "green channels" at hospitals to fast-track patients who help save others.

Children of people killed or disabled while acting as good Samaritans could enjoy privileges when entering high school or college, according to the draft released on Saturday.

The government document clarifies five situations in which a person can be defined as a good Samaritan, including protecting State security, helping authorities crack a significant criminal case or conducting a rescue during or after a disaster.

"Good Samaritans deserve rewards and help," said Li Min, the daughter of Li Xuesheng, a resident of Henan's Shangqiu city who died in 2005 while saving two children playing on a railway track in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province. "I'm happy to see that the government has considered that and made it part of the regulation."

Wang Junzhang, 36, of Jiaozuo, who saved two boys from a frozen lake in Beijing in 2014, added: "I think this draft is very detailed. It will better protect good Samaritans and will definitely encourage more people to help others."

Last month, the Ministry of Public Security issued a draft guideline on protecting and rewarding good Samaritans. Henan followed the step and carried out a draft of its own on that basis.

"The revised version will be presented to the provincial legislature and will be officially issued as a local law if passed," said Yuan Shuhang, an official with the Henan Legislative Affairs Office, whose office is responsible for considering the suggestions collected and making necessary revisions.

"It will have greater legal validity than similar regulations or guidelines released before," he added.

Qi Xin and Cao Yin contributed to this story.