# Law No. 6096 of September 5, 1974

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105659913](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105659913)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-6096-of-september-5-1974

## Summary

Law No. 6096 of September 5, 1974 (Lei nº 6096/1974) is a Brazilian federal statute enacted during the military dictatorship era under President Ernesto Geisel. This law establishes provisions related to federal universities in Brazil, addressing matters concerning their administrative structure, time limits for certain procedures, concessions, prorogations, registrations, and jurisdictional competencies. The law was promulgated in Brasília and remains in force as part of Brazilian federal legislation, with its official text available through the Presidency's legislative database.

## Key Facts

- **Official Title:** Lei nº 6096, de 5 de setembro de 1974
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 6096/1974
- **Country:** Brazil
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal (applies throughout Brazil)
- **Publication Date:** September 5, 1974
- **Place of Publication:** Brasília, Brazil
- **Promulgating Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil
- **President at Time:** Ernesto Geisel (served 1974-1979)
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese
- **Classification:** Statute (formal written legal document)
- **LEXML Brazil Identifier:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-09-05;6096
- **Official Source URL:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1970-1979/l6096.htm
- **Primary Subject Matter:** Federal universities (Universidade Federal), time limits, concessions, prorogations, registrations, administrative competencies
- **Wikidata Description:** Brazilian law

## FAQs

**What is Law No. 6096 of September 5, 1974?**

Law No. 6096 is a Brazilian federal statute that establishes legal provisions governing federal universities in Brazil. The law addresses administrative procedures including time limits for specific actions, extensions (prorogations), concession criteria, registration requirements, and the competencies of various bodies involved in higher education administration.

**Who enacted Law No. 6096/1974?**

The law was promulgated by President Ernesto Geisel on September 5, 1974, during Brazil's military government period (1964-1985). As President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Geisel had the authority to enact federal legislation through the presidential system in place at that time.

**Where can I find the official text of Law No. 6096/1974?**

The official text of Law No. 6096/1974 is available through Brazil's official government portals. The Presidency's legislative database at legislacao.presidencia.gov.br hosts the law, and the official text can also be accessed at planalto.gov.br under the civil legislation section for laws from 1970-1979.

**What topics does Law No. 6096/1974 regulate?**

The law covers several interconnected topics related to federal universities, including: administrative time limits (prazos), the granting of concessions (concessão), extensions of deadlines or provisions (prorrogação), student or institutional registration (inscrição), and the jurisdictional competencies (competência) of various educational authorities and bodies.

**Is Law No. 6096 still in effect?**

As a federal statute that has not been formally repealed, Law No. 6096/1974 remains part of Brazil's active legal framework. Brazilian federal laws remain in force until explicitly revoked, superseded by newer legislation, or declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Federal Court.

## Why It Matters

Law No. 6096 of September 5, 1974 matters because it represents a foundational piece of legislation in Brazil's higher education legal framework. Enacted during a critical period in Brazilian history, this statute established the legal parameters for the operation and administration of federal universities—the premier public higher education institutions in Brazil. The law's provisions regarding time limits, concessions, and competencies helped standardize administrative procedures across the growing federal university system during a period of significant expansion in Brazilian higher education.

The significance of this law extends to its role in shaping the relationship between the federal government and public universities. By establishing clear guidelines for administrative procedures, the law contributed to the institutionalization of federal higher education governance in Brazil. Federal universities in Brazil (Universidades Federais) are among the most prestigious and well-funded educational institutions in the country, and the legal framework established by laws like No. 6096 helped define their operational parameters.

Furthermore, as a statute enacted during the military government era, Law No. 6096/1974 reflects the legal and administrative context of Brazilian higher education during that period. Understanding this law provides insight into the evolution of Brazil's public education system and the legal mechanisms that govern the country's federal university network, which continues to serve millions of students today.

## Notable For

- **Historical Significance:** Enacted during Brazil's military dictatorship period (1964-1985), representing the legal framework for federal university administration during a transformative era in Brazilian higher education.
- **Presidential Authority:** Promulgated directly by President Ernesto Geisel, demonstrating the presidential decree authority that characterized legislation during the military government period.
- **Legal Persistence:** Remains in force as part of Brazil's active federal legislation, demonstrating the enduring nature of foundational educational statutes.
- **Official Digital Access:** Available through Brazil's official government portals, representing the digitization of Brazilian legal heritage and public access to statutory law.
- **LEXML Integration:** Assigned a structured LEXML identifier (urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-09-05;6096), integrating it into Brazil's semantic web infrastructure for legal documents.

## Body

### Legislative Context and Enactment

Law No. 6096 of September 5, 1974 was enacted during Brazil's military government period, a era characterized by centralized executive authority and significant intervention in civil affairs, including education. The law was promulgated by President Ernesto Geisel, who served as President of Brazil from 1974 to 1979. Geisel's administration represented a period of "opening" (abertura) in Brazilian politics, though the military retained significant control over governmental functions.

The law was officially published in Brasília, which had been Brazil's capital since 1960 following the transfer from Rio de Janeiro. The formal enactment followed the standard legislative process of the time, resulting in a statute that carries the full authority of the federal government. The official legal citation "Lei nº 6096/1974" reflects the Brazilian convention of referencing laws by number and year of enactment.

### Subject Matter and Legal Provisions

Law No. 6096/1974 addresses several interconnected legal topics related to federal universities:

**Federal Universities (Universidade Federal):** The law's primary focus concerns the administrative and legal framework governing Brazil's federal universities. These institutions represent the highest tier of public higher education in Brazil, typically receiving the most funding and maintaining the broadest academic offerings. Federal universities operate under the authority of the Ministry of Education and are subject to federal legislation including this statute.

**Time Limits (Prazo):** The law establishes specific time periods within which certain administrative actions must be taken. Time limits in Brazilian administrative law serve multiple purposes: they provide legal certainty, prevent indefinite delays in administrative proceedings, and ensure timely access to educational services.

**Concessions (Concessão):** The statute addresses the granting of various concessions related to university operations. In the Brazilian legal context, concessions may refer to rights, privileges, or authorizations granted to institutions, students, or administrative units.

**Prorogations (Prorrogação):** The law provides for extensions of deadlines or periods established by its provisions. This allows flexibility in administrative procedures while maintaining the framework of legal time limits.

**Registrations (Inscrição):** The statute addresses registration requirements, likely concerning student enrollment, institutional registration, or administrative procedures necessary for university operations.

**Competencies (Competência):** The law defines the jurisdictional authority and responsibilities of various bodies involved in university administration. This includes determining which governmental or institutional entities have the legal authority to make specific decisions or take particular actions.

### Legal Classification and Structure

Law No. 6096/1974 is classified as a statute—a formal written document that creates law. In the Brazilian legal system, statutes (leis) represent primary legislation enacted by the federal government through the presidential system. The law is part of the broader category of acts (atos) and exists within the hierarchical structure of Brazilian law, subordinate only to the Constitution and constitutional amendments.

The statute's classification as a "legal norm" (norma jurídica) places it within the system of binding rules that govern conduct in Brazil. As a federal law, it applies throughout the national territory, superseding state and municipal legislation on matters within its scope.

### Official Sources and Documentation

The official text of Law No. 6096/1974 is preserved in multiple official databases:

The Presidency of the Republic's legislative database (legislacao.presidencia.gov.br) hosts the law as part of the comprehensive collection of Brazilian federal legislation. The official URL for accessing this law through this system is: https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=6096&ano=1974&data=05/09/1974&ato=a5cQTRqkenRVT02e

The official text is also available through planalto.gov.br, the official website of the Presidency of the Republic, specifically in the section containing civil legislation from 1970-1979: https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1970-1979/l6096.htm

The law has been assigned the LEXML identifier urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-09-05;6096, integrating it into Brazil's structured legal markup language system. LEXML is the Brazilian standard for semantic web applications in the legal domain, enabling automated processing and retrieval of legal information.

### Language and Form

Law No. 6096/1974 was enacted in Brazilian Portuguese, reflecting the official language of Brazil and the linguistic standard for all federal legislation. The law follows the formal drafting conventions of Brazilian statutory language, employing precise legal terminology to ensure clear interpretation and application.

The formal title "Lei nº 6096, de 5 de setembro de 1974" follows the standard Brazilian convention for naming federal laws, indicating the law number and exact date of enactment.

### Relationship to Broader Legal Framework

This statute exists within Brazil's comprehensive system of higher education law. Federal universities in Brazil operate under a framework that includes constitutional provisions, specific legislation, and administrative regulations. Law No. 6096/1974 represents one component of this framework, addressing specific administrative and procedural matters.

The law's provisions regarding competencies connect it to the broader system of federal governmental authority, defining relationships between educational authorities, university administrators, and other governmental bodies. This hierarchical structure reflects the centralized nature of federal university governance in Brazil.

### Historical Context of Brazilian Federal Universities

To understand Law No. 6096/1974, one must consider the development of Brazil's federal university system. Federal universities in Brazil trace their origins to the colonial and imperial periods, but significant expansion occurred during the 20th century, particularly after the 1930 Revolution and throughout the military government period.

By 1974, Brazil's federal university network had grown substantially, requiring comprehensive legal frameworks to govern their administration. Laws like No. 6096 represented efforts to standardize procedures, establish clear administrative guidelines, and provide legal foundations for university operations across the national territory.

The military government period saw significant investment in higher education as part of broader development strategies. Federal universities became key institutions for training professionals, conducting research, and expanding access to higher education, albeit within the political constraints of the era.

### Current Status and Application

Law No. 6096/1974 remains in force as part of Brazil's federal statute law. Brazilian law does not automatically expire; statutes remain valid until explicitly repealed, superseded by newer legislation, or declared unconstitutional. No information indicates that Law No. 6096/1974 has been repealed or substantially amended.

The law continues to serve as part of the legal foundation for federal university administration, though subsequent legislation may have modified or supplemented its provisions. Legal databases and official government sources continue to maintain and provide access to this statute, recognizing its ongoing relevance to Brazilian law.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-09-05;6096)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=6096&ano=1974&data=05/09/1974&ato=a5cQTRq5kenRVT02e)