A mental health law that requires consent from mentally ill patients before they receive inpatient treatment took effect in China on May 1.

The law was adopted by the Standing Committee of the 11th National People's Congress last October after three readings.

The law says mentally ill people, with the exception of those with a severe mental illness or who have the potential to harm themselves or others, should only receive inpatient treatment on a purely voluntary basis.

It also requires medical institutions to respect patient rights to demand discharges.

The law has attracted a great deal of attention since its draft was first submitted for discussion, as reports of people being wrongly institutionalized have increased.

According to the law, there should be no infringement upon the dignity, personal safety or property of mentally ill people.

Institutions and individuals must protect the privacy of mentally ill people by preventing leaks of private information, such as their names, addresses and employment status, unless the sharing of such data is necessary for institutions and individuals in order to exercise their lawful duties.