# Law No. 3603 of August 8, 1959

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105648610](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105648610)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-3603-of-august-8-1959

## Summary
Law No. 3603 of August 8, 1959, is a Brazilian statute enacted during the presidency of Juscelino Kubitschek. It addresses legal provisions related to the State of São Paulo, charitable organizations, and municipalities, serving as a formal written document that establishes specific legal norms within Brazil's federal jurisdiction.

## Key Facts
- **Title:** Lei nº 3603, de 8 de agosto de 1959
- **Type:** Brazilian statute (formal written document creating law)
- **Enactment Date:** August 8, 1959
- **Approved By:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil (President Juscelino Kubitschek)
- **Place of Publication:** Rio de Janeiro (then capital of Brazil)
- **Jurisdiction:** Applies to Brazil (federal law)
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese
- **Main Subjects:** State of São Paulo, charitable organizations, municipalities
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 3603/1959
- **LexML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1959-08-08;3603
- **Official Text Available At:** [https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3603.htm](https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3603.htm)
- **WikiProject:** WikiProject Brazilian Laws

## FAQs
**What is Law No. 3603 of August 8, 1959?**
Law No. 3603 of August 8, 1959, is a Brazilian federal statute that establishes legal provisions related to the State of São Paulo, charitable organizations, and municipalities. It was enacted during the presidency of Juscelino Kubitschek and serves as a formal legal document within Brazil's legislative framework.

**Who approved Law No. 3603?**
The law was approved by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil under President Juscelino Kubitschek on August 8, 1959. It was promulgated in Rio de Janeiro, which was the capital of Brazil at the time.

**What are the main subjects covered by Law No. 3603?**
The law primarily addresses three main subjects: the State of São Paulo (referred to as "Estado De São Paulo (Sp)"), charitable organizations (described as "Instituição Beneficente"), and municipalities (referred to as "Municipio"). These subjects reflect the law's focus on regional governance and social welfare structures.

**Where can the official text of Law No. 3603 be found?**
The official text of Law No. 3603 is available on the Brazilian government's official legislation portal at [https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3603.htm](https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3603.htm). It is also referenced in the LexML Brazil database under the identifier urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1959-08-08;3603.

**Is Law No. 3603 still in effect?**
The provided source material does not specify whether Law No. 3603 is currently in effect or has been amended or repealed. For the most up-to-date legal status, consultation with official Brazilian legal databases or legal professionals would be necessary.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 3603 of August 8, 1959, represents an important piece of Brazilian legislation from the mid-20th century that addresses critical aspects of regional governance and social welfare. As a federal statute, it reflects the legal framework established during Juscelino Kubitschek's presidency, a period marked by significant economic development and modernization in Brazil. The law's focus on the State of São Paulo, charitable organizations, and municipalities demonstrates the government's attention to both regional administration and social support structures during this transformative era. Understanding this law provides insight into Brazil's legislative history and the evolution of its legal system concerning local governance and public welfare institutions.

## Notable For
- **Presidential Era Legislation:** Enacted during Juscelino Kubitschek's presidency (1956-1961), a period known for Brazil's rapid industrialization and the construction of Brasília
- **Multi-Subject Scope:** Addresses three distinct but interconnected areas: state governance (São Paulo), charitable organizations, and municipal administration
- **Historical Context:** Published in Rio de Janeiro, which was Brazil's capital until the inauguration of Brasília in 1960
- **Federal Jurisdiction:** Applies nationwide as a federal law, despite its specific focus on São Paulo
- **Legal Documentation:** Preserved in Brazil's official legal databases and accessible through government portals
- **Portuguese Legal Tradition:** Represents the Brazilian legal system's development within the broader Lusophone legal framework

## Body

### Legislative Context and Enactment
Law No. 3603 was enacted on August 8, 1959, during a significant period in Brazilian history. The law was approved by President Juscelino Kubitschek, whose administration (1956-1961) is particularly noted for its ambitious development programs, including the construction of Brasília as Brazil's new capital. The law was promulgated in Rio de Janeiro, which served as Brazil's capital until April 21, 1960, when the federal government officially relocated to Brasília.

The legislative process followed standard procedures for federal laws in Brazil at the time. As a statute, Law No. 3603 represents a formal written document that creates law, falling under the broader category of legal instruments that include acts, executive orders, and by-laws. The law's creation would have involved draft legislation processes typical of the Brazilian congressional system.

### Main Provisions and Subjects
Law No. 3603 addresses three primary subjects, each representing important aspects of Brazilian governance and social structure:

1. **State of São Paulo**: The law includes provisions specifically related to the State of São Paulo, referred to in the documentation as "Estado De São Paulo (Sp)." São Paulo is Brazil's most populous and economically significant state, making legislation affecting it particularly impactful on the national scale.

2. **Charitable Organizations**: The statute contains regulations pertaining to charitable organizations, described as "Instituição Beneficente" in the source material. This suggests the law established frameworks for the operation, recognition, or regulation of charitable entities within Brazil.

3. **Municipalities**: The law also addresses municipalities, referred to as "Municipio" in the documentation. This indicates provisions related to local government structures, municipal administration, or intergovernmental relations between federal, state, and local authorities.

The specific content of these provisions is not detailed in the provided source material, but the subjects suggest a comprehensive approach to governance that spans state-level administration, social welfare institutions, and local government structures.

### Legal Classification and Documentation
Law No. 3603 is classified as a statute within the Brazilian legal system. As such, it represents:

- An instance of a legal term or legal concept
- A subclass of "written work," "document," and "rule"
- A manifestation of statutory law
- A formal written document that creates law

The law is documented in several official Brazilian legal databases:

- **LexML Brazil**: The law is identified by the LexML Brazil ID urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1959-08-08;3603, which is a standardized identifier used in Brazil's legal information system.

- **Presidency Portal**: The official text is available through the Brazilian Presidency's legislation portal at [https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3603.htm](https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3603.htm).

- **Wikidata**: The law is categorized within Wikidata as a Brazilian law, with connections to broader legal concepts and classifications.

### Historical and Political Context
The enactment of Law No. 3603 occurred during a transformative period in Brazilian history. President Juscelino Kubitschek's administration implemented the "Plano de Metas" (Targets Plan), an ambitious development program that aimed to modernize Brazil's infrastructure and economy. The law's focus on São Paulo is particularly notable, as the state was (and remains) the economic engine of Brazil, home to the country's largest city and financial center.

The law's provisions regarding charitable organizations and municipalities reflect the government's attention to social welfare and local governance during this period of rapid economic growth. The late 1950s saw significant urbanization in Brazil, with municipalities facing new challenges in providing services to growing populations.

### Jurisdiction and Application
Law No. 3603 applies to the federal jurisdiction of Brazil, meaning it has nationwide applicability despite its specific focus on the State of São Paulo. This reflects the Brazilian legal system's structure, where federal laws can address specific regional issues while maintaining national authority.

The law is written in Brazilian Portuguese, the official language of Brazil, and follows the legal terminology and structure typical of Brazilian legislation. As a federal law, it would take precedence over state and municipal laws in cases of conflict, according to Brazil's constitutional hierarchy.

### Preservation and Accessibility
The law remains preserved in Brazil's official legal documentation systems. Its availability through the Presidency's legislation portal ensures public access to the original text, consistent with Brazil's principles of transparency in governance. The law's inclusion in the LexML Brazil database facilitates its integration into Brazil's comprehensive legal information system.

The law is also referenced in WikiProject Brazilian Laws, indicating its recognition within the Wikipedia community's efforts to document Brazilian legislation. This suggests the law has been identified as notable enough to warrant inclusion in encyclopedic documentation of Brazil's legal history.

### Relationship to Broader Legal Framework
Law No. 3603 exists within Brazil's broader legal framework, which includes:

- The Constitution of Brazil (current version promulgated October 5, 1988)
- Federal laws and decrees
- State constitutions and laws
- Municipal laws and regulations

As a federal statute from 1959, Law No. 3603 would have been enacted under the constitutional framework that preceded the current 1988 Constitution. The law's continued documentation in official databases suggests it may still have legal relevance or historical significance, even if some provisions have been amended or superseded by subsequent legislation.

### Potential Impact and Legacy
While the specific impact of Law No. 3603 is not detailed in the source material, its subjects suggest several potential areas of influence:

1. **State Governance**: Provisions related to São Paulo may have shaped administrative structures or regulatory frameworks within Brazil's most economically important state.

2. **Social Welfare**: Regulations concerning charitable organizations could have established important precedents for how such institutions operate and are regulated in Brazil.

3. **Local Government**: Municipal provisions may have affected how local governments function, their relationship with state and federal authorities, and their ability to provide services.

The law's enactment during Kubitschek's presidency places it within a broader context of modernization and development, suggesting it may have been part of efforts to create legal frameworks supportive of Brazil's economic and social transformation during that era.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1959-08-08;3603)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=3603&ano=1959&data=08/08/1959&ato=e9bMTQq5UMRRVT640)