A set of new regulations designed to guarantee the basic living of China's urban homeless was announced Monday.

The regulations, adopted by the 12th executive meeting of the State Council on June 18, will take effect on August 1.

The regulations consist of 24 articles which lay out guidelines for providing assistance to the disadvantaged. The guidelines include the establishment and management of shelters, the type of assistance to be offered and the punishment imposed for those who fail to comply with the relevant stipulations.

Previous regulations on dealing with the nation's homeless, issued by the State Council in 1982, will be null and void as of August 1.

(China Daily July 22, 2003)