# Law No. 3243 of August 13, 1957

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105649119](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105649119)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-3243-of-august-13-1957

## Summary
Law No. 3243 of August 13, 1957, officially titled "Lei nº 3243, de 13 de agosto de 1957," is a Brazilian federal statute that established the Maternity Assistance Fund and made other provisions. This significant piece of legislation was approved by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil and promulgated by President Juscelino Kubitschek.

## Key Facts
- **Official Title:** Lei nº 3243, de 13 de agosto de 1957
- **Type of Document:** Statute
- **Country of Origin:** Brazil
- **Publication Date:** August 13, 1957
- **Approval Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil
- **Promulgating President:** Juscelino Kubitschek (on 1957-08-13)
- **Primary Purpose (Law Digest):** INSTITUI O FUNDO DE ASSISTENCIA A MATERNIDADE, E DA OUTRAS PROVIDADES (Establishes the Maternity Assistance Fund, and makes other provisions)
- **Main Subjects:** Budget, Federal Government of Brazil, creation, Ministry of Health of Brasil
- **Place of Publication:** Rio de Janeiro
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 3243/1957
- **Online Availability:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3243.htm
- **LexML Brazil Identifier:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1957-08-13;3243
- **Wikimedia Project Focus:** Included on the focus list of WikiProject Brazilian Laws

## FAQs
**What is the full title and date of this law?**
The full official title of this statute is "Lei nº 3243, de 13 de agosto de 1957," which translates to Law No. 3243 of August 13, 1957. It was published on the same date it was approved.

**What is the primary purpose of Law No. 3243?**
The main objective of Law No. 3243 is to establish the Maternity Assistance Fund and to provide for other related measures. This indicates its focus on social welfare and public health provisions.

**Who approved this law and when?**
Law No. 3243 was approved by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil and promulgated by President Juscelino Kubitschek on August 13, 1957. This action formalized its entry into the Brazilian legal system.

**What are the main subjects addressed by this law?**
The law primarily addresses the budget, the Federal Government of Brazil, the creation of the Maternity Assistance Fund, and the involvement of the Ministry of Health of Brasil. These subjects highlight its financial, governmental, and public health implications.

**Where was this law published?**
The place of publication for Law No. 3243 was Rio de Janeiro. At the time of its promulgation in 1957, Rio de Janeiro served as the capital of Brazil.

**In what language is Law No. 3243 written?**
Law No. 3243 is written in Brazilian Portuguese, which is the official language of Brazil. This ensures its accessibility and enforceability within the country's legal framework.

**How can one access the full text of Law No. 3243?**
The full text of Law No. 3243 is available online through the official government portal at https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3243.htm. It can also be identified using its LexML Brazil ID, urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1957-08-13;3243.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 3243 of August 13, 1957, holds significance as a foundational piece of social legislation in Brazil, specifically addressing maternity assistance. By instituting the Maternity Assistance Fund, it demonstrated the Federal Government of Brazil's commitment to public health and welfare during the mid-20th century, with direct involvement from the Ministry of Health. As a statute, it serves as a concrete, formal written document that creates law, contributing directly to the body of statutory law in Brazil. This law reflects the legislative priorities of the Juscelino Kubitschek administration and provides historical insight into the development of social safety nets in the country. Its existence underscores the role of government in allocating budget resources for specific social programs, making it a relevant artifact for understanding Brazil's socio-economic history and legal evolution.

## Notable For
- **Specific Social Welfare Focus:** Directly establishes the Maternity Assistance Fund, highlighting a targeted social welfare initiative.
- **Presidential Promulgation:** Was formally approved and promulgated by Juscelino Kubitschek, a notable Brazilian president.
- **Historical Legislative Example:** Represents a federal statute from Brazil in the 1950s, offering insight into the country's legislative output during that era.
- **Official Online Accessibility:** Its full text is readily available through the official Brazilian government website, ensuring public access to historical legal documents.
- **Inclusion in Legal Projects:** Featured on the focus list of WikiProject Brazilian Laws, indicating its recognition within legal documentation and research communities.

## Body

### Overview of Law No. 3243 of August 13, 1957
Law No. 3243, formally known as "Lei nº 3243, de 13 de agosto de 1957," is a federal statute enacted in Brazil. This legal instrument is also referred to by its alias, "Lei nº 3243, de 13 de agosto de 1957." It was published on August 13, 1957, in Rio de Janeiro, which was then the capital of Brazil. The law is written in Brazilian Portuguese, the official language of the country, and is legally cited as Lei nº 3243/1957. The complete text of this law is accessible online via the official government website, https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3243.htm, and is identified by its LexML Brazil ID: urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1957-08-13;3243.

### Purpose and Scope
The primary objective of Law No. 3243 is encapsulated in its law digest: "INSTITUI O FUNDO DE ASSISTENCIA A MATERNIDADE, E DA OUTRAS PROVIDENCIAS," meaning it establishes the Maternity Assistance Fund and makes other provisions. The main subjects addressed by this statute include the budget, the Federal Government of Brazil, the creation of the aforementioned fund, and the role of the Ministry of Health of Brasil. This indicates a legislative effort to formalize and fund support for maternity services within the national framework.

### Legislative Context and Approval
This statute was approved by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil. Specifically, it was promulgated by President Juscelino Kubitschek on August 13, 1957. The law applies to the entire jurisdiction of Brazil, a federal republic with a presidential system. At the time of its enactment, Brazil was undergoing significant development, and its government structure, including the Presidency and the Ministry of Health, played a crucial role in shaping national policies.

### Classification as a Statute
Law No. 3243 is classified as an instance of a "statute." A statute is a formal written document that creates law, encompassing various legal instruments such as acts, executive orders, and by-laws. It functions as the concrete manifestation of statutory law and is taxonomically categorized as a subclass of "written work," "document," and "rule." Statutes are created through the process of legislation, often following initial "draft laws," and are composed of "legal norms." In many jurisdictions, including the United States and France, official legal documents like statutes are considered to be in the public domain, based on the "edict of government doctrine," ensuring public access to the laws that govern them. This Brazilian law, as a federal statute, aligns with these general characteristics of legal statutes.

### Connection to Brazil
As a Brazilian law, Law No. 3243 is intrinsically linked to the country of Brazil, the largest nation in South America. Brazil, a federal republic, has a rich history, having declared independence from Portugal on September 7, 1822. The law's promulgation by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil reflects the country's governmental structure, where the President serves as both head of state and head of government. The involvement of the Ministry of Health of Brasil as a main subject underscores the federal government's administrative capacity and its role in public welfare initiatives. The law's publication in Rio de Janeiro further connects it to Brazil's historical administrative centers, as the city served as the national capital until 1960. The use of Brazilian Portuguese for the law's text is consistent with Brazil's official language. The law's inclusion in the WikiProject Brazilian Laws highlights its place within the broader legal and historical documentation efforts pertaining to Brazil.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1957-08-13;3243)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=3243&ano=1957&data=13/08/1957&ato=658EzYE9UMNRVT4d9)
3. LexML Brasil