Shenzhen drafting 'Good Samaritan' law

Lawmakers in Shenzhen, Guangdong province have been considering making laws to protect people willing to help strangers in distress. The proposal comes after several tragedies where passersby failed to help injured people. The local government is collecting public opinions before drafting China’s first so-called, ‘Good Samaritan’ regulation.

Let warm-hearted people be in peace. The new draft proposes that Samaritans won’t be held accountable for the consequences of their compassion. And if those in distress ever try to hold their helpers responsible for injuries or damages by deliberately distorting the facts or lodging false complaints, they will face various punishments.

Xu Long, Shenzhen CPPCC member, said, "The regulation would protect helpers from being sued or even receiving punishment. We hope it can promote the development of an harmonious society."

It is not very comfortable to know that people need to be legally protected before reaching out to help those in need. But if that can stop tragedies such as the 2-year-old toddler Yue yue’s death, it will win hearts and minds.

Yue yue died last month after she was twice run over by vans and ignored by 18 passers-by as she lay critically injured on a street in Foshan, Guangdong province.

Many believe the apathy of the onlookers was the result of what happened to Peng Yu 5 years ago when the man helped an injured old woman but was later sued and had to pay the woman 45 thousand yuan in damages.

But the belief of goodness shall not be tainted, according to those in Shenzhen.

"To protect morality by law can encourage people to do the right thing. It’s good."

Legally protecting good Samaritans has been adopted by many countries over the years, but China was left behind. Many believe it is a step toward rebuilding social credibility and harmony.