# Law No. 3975 of November 4, 1961

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105648155](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105648155)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-3975-of-november-4-1961

## Summary
**Law No. 3975 of November 4, 1961** (Lei nº 3.975) is a Brazilian statute enacted during the presidency of João Goulart. Published in Brasília, this formal legal document addresses matters concerning the Ministry of Health and financial aid provisions. It serves as a specific instance of statutory law applicable to the jurisdiction of Brazil.

## Key Facts
- **Full Title:** Lei nº 3.975, de 4 de novembro de 1961.
- **Type of Entity:** Statute (formal written document that creates law).
- **Date of Enactment:** November 4, 1961.
- **Approving Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil.
- **Promulgated By:** João Goulart (President in 1961).
- **Main Subjects:** Ministry of Health of Brazil (Ministerio Da Saude) and financial aid (Auxilio Financeiro).
- **Jurisdiction:** Brazil.
- **Place of Publication:** Brasília, Brazil.
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese.
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 3975/1961.
- **LexML Brazil ID:** `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1961-11-04;3975`.
- **Official URL:** Available at `https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3975.htm`.
- **Copyright Status:** As a statute/edict of government, it is in the public domain in the United States and generally in Brazil (per "edict of government doctrine").

## FAQs

**What is the legal classification of Law No. 3975?**
It is classified as a statute, which is a formal written document that creates law. It acts as a manifestation of statutory law and is distinct from executive orders or by-laws, though it shares the characteristic of being a formal legal rule.

**Who approved Law No. 3975 and where was it published?**
The law was approved by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil and promulgated by President João Goulart. It was published in Brasília, the federal capital of Brazil, on November 4, 1961.

**What topics does Law No. 3975 address?**
The statute explicitly lists the Ministry of Health of Brazil and financial aid as its main subjects.

**Where can the full text of Law No. 3975 be accessed?**
The full text is accessible online via the official Planalto Palace website at `https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3975.htm` and is indexed under the LexML Brazil identifier.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 3975 of November 4, 1961, matters as a concrete example of statutory law within the Brazilian legal system during a pivotal historical period. Enacted in the early 1960s under President João Goulart—a figure central to the political turbulence preceding the 1964 military coup—it reflects the legislative priorities of that era. By specifically citing the Ministry of Health and financial aid as subjects, the law represents the government's formal mechanism for allocating resources or establishing regulations regarding public health funding. As a statute, it embodies the concept of the "edict of government," serving as a primary source of law that is permanently accessible to the public and exempt from copyright, ensuring transparency and adherence to the rule of law.

## Notable For
- **Historical Context:** Enacted during the administration of João Goulart, a significant figure in Brazilian political history.
- **Specific Subject Matter:** Notable for its focus on the Ministry of Health and financial aid mechanisms.
- **Capital Location:** Published in Brasília, which had recently become the federal capital in 1960.
- **Legal Standard:** Exemplifies the standard structure of a Brazilian statute (Lei), complete with a specific number, date, and official citation.
- **Public Accessibility:** Fully available via the official government portal (Planalto) and the LexML system.

## Body

### Legal Classification and Definition
Law No. 3975 is legally defined as a **statute**. In the context of legal theory, a statute is a formal written document enacted to create law. It functions as the concrete manifestation of statutory law, distinguishing it from broader legal concepts or unwritten rules. As a document type, it is a subclass of "written work" and "rule." Structurally, it is composed of legal norms and is the result of the legislative process.

This entity falls under the category of public domain documents. Following the "edict of government doctrine," statutes—judicial opinions, administrative rulings, and legislative enactments—are not copyrightable. This ensures that the legal rules governing the public are freely accessible to everyone without restriction.

### Enactment and Authority
The statute was officially approved by the **Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil**. The determination method used was **promulgation**, a formal act by which the law is proclaimed and put into effect.

The key figure associated with the promulgation on November 4, 1961, was **João Goulart**. At the time, Goulart was serving as the leader of the Brazilian government. The issuance of this law occurred in **Brasília**, the federal capital. This timing is historically significant as Brasília had only been inaugurated as the capital on April 21, 1960, making this law one of the many statutory instruments issued during the early years of the city's establishment as the seat of power.

### Subject Matter and Scope
According to structured data records, the law explicitly addresses two main subjects:
1.  **Ministry of Health of Brazil (Ministerio Da Saude):** The federal body responsible for health policy.
2.  **Financial Aid (Auxilio Financeiro):** Indicating the law likely pertains to the allocation, transfer, or regulation of monetary assistance, presumably related to the health sector or other designated areas.

The law applies to the entire jurisdiction of **Brazil**, meaning its provisions are binding within the national territory. It is written in **Brazilian Portuguese**, the official language of the country.

### Identification and Access
The law is cataloged under several formal identifiers for legal and archival purposes:
- **Title:** Lei nº 3.975, de 4 de novembro de 1961.
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 3975/1961.
- **LexML Brazil ID:** `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1961-11-04;3975`.

The work is digitally archived and available for public consultation. The primary source for the text is the official website of the Planalto Palace (`https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3975.htm`). It is also tracked by **WikiProject Brazilian Laws**, indicating its relevance in organized knowledge management and legal databases.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1961-11-04;3975)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=3975&ano=1961&data=04/11/1961&ato=225ETRU5keVRVT2ff)