BEIJING -- The Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council on Thursday began to solicit public opinions on a draft decree on social assistance.

The draft decree concerns the provision of allowance to ensure a minimum level of living standards, support for extremely poor people, assistance for people affected by disasters, medical assistance, and assistance in education, housing, employment and other areas.

It also stipulates the role of the civil society in social assistance services.

The draft says housing assistance could be in the form of providing low-rent housing or rent subsidies.

The government encourages the civil society to play a role in social assistance services through projects targeting specific groups, establishing social assistance institutions and providing volunteer services, according to the draft.

Organizations engaged in social assistance services may receive government support in the form of fiscal subsidies and tax exemption, among others, the draft says.

The draft stipulates a supervision system for social assistance, which will pursue legal responsibility for failing to exercise duties in providing social assistance, fraud and other violations.

The public can visit www.chinalaw.gov.cn to access the draft decree, and offer opinions via letters or email at shjz@chinalaw.gov.cn. The deadline is set for February 7.