# Law No. 3901 of June 8, 1961

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105648065](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105648065)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-3901-of-june-8-1961

## Summary
Law No. 3901 of June 8, 1961 is a Brazilian statute enacted during the presidency of Jânio Quadros, concerning the granting of special pensions (Pensão Especial) and concessions. Approved via promulgation in the federal capital of Brasília, this formal written document serves as a manifestation of statutory law within the Federative Republic of Brazil.

## Key Facts
- **Official Title:** Lei nº 3901, de 8 de junho de 1961
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 3901/1961
- **Date of Approval/Publication:** June 8, 1961
- **Jurisdiction:** Brazil (Federative Republic of Brazil)
- **Approving Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil
- **Approving President:** Jânio Quadros (via promulgation)
- **Classification:** Statute (formal written document that creates law)
- **Main Subjects:** Pensão Especial (Special Pension) and Concessão (Concession)
- **Place of Publication:** Brasília, Brazil
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese
- **LexML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1961-06-08;3901
- **Official URL:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3901.htm
- **WikiProject:** WikiProject Brazilian Laws

## FAQs
**What is the primary subject of Law No. 3901/1961?**
This law addresses the specific legal topics of "Pensão Especial" (Special Pension) and "Concessão" (Concession), establishing rules for the granting of these benefits within the Brazilian federal jurisdiction.

**Who enacted Law No. 3901 of June 8, 1961?**
The statute was approved by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil. Specifically, it was enacted through the promulgation method by President Jânio Quadros on June 8, 1961.

**Where was this law published and in what language?**
The law was published in Brasília, the federal capital of Brazil. The official language of the document, as with all federal laws in Brazil, is Brazilian Portuguese.

**How is this law classified in legal systems?**
Law No. 3901 is classified as a "statute," which is defined as a formal written document that creates law. It is recognized as a subclass of a written work, document, and rule, serving as a manifestation of statutory law.

**Is the text of Law No. 3901 freely accessible?**
As a statute, this document is generally considered to be in the public domain under the "edict of government doctrine," meaning official legal documents are not subject to copyright restrictions. The full text is available at the official URL provided by the Brazilian Presidency.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 3901 of June 8, 1961 matters as a specific instrument of Brazilian social and administrative policy, formally defining the parameters for special pensions and concessions. By establishing these legal norms, the statute provides the concrete, written evidence necessary for the enforcement of rights and benefits within the Brazilian federal system. Its enactment under President Jânio Quadros places it within a specific historical context of the early 1960s Brazilian government, shortly after the capital's transition to Brasília. As a statute, it represents the primary mechanism through which government authority is exercised and recorded, ensuring that legal mandates regarding pensions are documented, accessible, and enforceable by the public. The law's inclusion in the LexML system and its preservation on official government platforms underscore its ongoing relevance as a part of the country's statutory law framework.

## Notable For
- **Presidential Promulgation:** Distinctively approved via promulgation by President Jânio Quadros, a key figure in Brazilian history.
- **Specific Legal Scope:** Notable for addressing "Pensão Especial" (Special Pension), a specific category of social security benefits in Brazil.
- **Capital Era Context:** Enacted in 1961, shortly after the establishment of Brasília as the federal capital in 1960, reflecting the new administrative seat's legislative activity.
- **Standardized Identification:** Recognized by the LexML Brazil ID (urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1961-06-08;3901), facilitating its integration into national legal databases.
- **WikiProject Coverage:** Included in the scope of WikiProject Brazilian Laws, indicating its significance in the documentation of Brazilian legal history.

## Body

### Legal Classification and Nature
Law No. 3901 of June 8, 1961 is fundamentally defined as a **statute**. In legal taxonomy, a statute is a formal written document that creates law, encompassing acts, executive orders, and by-laws. This entity is classified as both a written work and a rule, serving as the tangible manifestation of statutory law. As a statute, it is composed of "legal norms" and is distinct from abstract legal concepts, functioning instead as the official record of legal rules enacted by the government. Structurally, it follows the lifecycle of "draft laws" and is caused by the act of "legislation," resulting in the creation of statutory law.

### Legislative Context and Approval
The law was enacted on June 8, 1961, by the **Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil**. The determination method used for its approval was **promulgation**, a formal act that declares a law valid and enacted. The specific authority behind this promulgation was President **Jânio Quadros**. This period in Brazilian history is notable for the presidency of Quadros and the recent establishment of **Brasília** as the federal capital (which occurred in April 1960). The law applies to the jurisdiction of **Brazil**, a federal republic and the largest country in South America, operating under a presidential system and representative democracy.

### Subject Matter and Scope
The primary subjects of Law No. 3901 are **Pensão Especial** (Special Pension) and **Concessão** (Concession). These terms indicate that the statute governs the granting of specific benefits or privileges, likely related to civil service, social security, or special allowances within the federal structure. The law serves as the legal basis for the "concession" of these "special pensions," providing the necessary statutory authority for the executive branch to allocate such benefits.

### Publication and Jurisdiction
The place of publication for this statute is **Brasília**, aligning with the city's status as the seat of the Brazilian federal government. The document is written in **Brazilian Portuguese**, the official language of Brazil. It applies to the entire jurisdiction of Brazil, which spans 8.5 million km² and operates as a federal republic comprising 26 states and one Federal District. The law's publication ensures that the legal mandates are accessible to the public, consistent with the principle that statutes are public domain documents.

### Technical Identifiers and Access
To ensure precise identification and retrieval, Law No. 3901 is cataloged under several technical systems:
- **LexML Brazil ID:** `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1961-06-08;3901`
- **Legal Citation:** `Lei nº 3901/1961`
- **Official URL:** The work is available at `https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3901.htm`, hosted by the Presidency of the Republic's official legislation portal.
- **WikiProject:** It is tracked under the "WikiProject Brazilian Laws," highlighting its importance in the collaborative documentation of the country's legal codes.

### Copyright and Public Domain Status
As a statute, Law No. 3901 is subject to the "edict of government doctrine" regarding copyright. This principle establishes that official legal documents, including legislative enactments, are not subject to copyright restrictions. Consequently, the text of this law is in the public domain, ensuring that the citizens governed by it have unrestrained access to the legal content. This status reinforces the rule of law by allowing the public to freely read, distribute, and analyze the statute without copyright limitations.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1961-06-08;3901)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=3901&ano=1961&data=08/06/1961&ato=974ATTE5keVRVT78b)