# Law No. 6118 of October 9, 1974

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105660069](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105660069)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-6118-of-october-9-1974

## Summary
Law No. 6118 of October 9, 1974 (Lei nº 6118, de 9 de outubro de 1974) is a Brazilian federal statute that established the Social Development Council (Conselho de Desenvolvimento Social). Promulgated by President Ernesto Geisel in Brasília, this legislation addresses administrative organization, health policy, and governmental competency frameworks within Brazil's federal jurisdiction.

## Key Facts
- **Official Title:** Lei nº 6118, de 9 de outubro de 1974
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 6118/1974
- **Publication Date:** October 9, 1974
- **Place of Publication:** Brasília, Brazil
- **Promulgating Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil
- **Approving Official:** Ernesto Geisel (President of Brazil)
- **Classification:** Statute (formal written document that creates law)
- **Jurisdiction:** Brazil (federal level)
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese
- **Subject Matter:** Creation of the Social Development Council, administrative organization, health policy, governmental competencies
- **Lexml Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-10-09;6118
- **Official URL:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l6118.htm
- **Wikimedia Project:** Listed on WikiProject Brazilian Laws

## FAQs

**What does Law No. 6118/1974 establish?**
The law creates the Social Development Council (Conselho de Desenvolvimento Social) and addresses related provisions concerning administrative organization, health policy, and governmental competencies in Brazil.

**Who approved and promulgated this law?**
The law was approved by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil and promulgated by President Ernesto Geisel on October 9, 1974.

**What jurisdiction does this law apply to?**
Law No. 6118/1974 applies to the entire Federative Republic of Brazil as federal legislation, published in the capital city of Brasília.

**What are the main subjects covered by this legislation?**
The law encompasses multiple subject areas including content composition, creation procedures, administrative organization, health policy, institutional connections, amendments, and competency definitions.

**Where can the full text of this law be accessed?**
The official text is available at the Brazilian Presidency's legislative portal (planalto.gov.br) and can be referenced through the Lexml Brazil system using the identifier urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-10-09;6118.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 6118 of October 9, 1974 represents a significant piece of Brazilian social policy legislation during the military government period under President Ernesto Geisel. By establishing the Social Development Council, the law created an institutional framework for coordinating social development initiatives at the federal level. This statute exemplifies how Brazilian legal instruments structure governmental bodies responsible for health and social welfare policies. The law's comprehensive coverage of administrative organization, competency definitions, and institutional connections demonstrates the systematic approach to governance characteristic of Brazilian federal legislation. As a formal statute, it serves as the concrete manifestation of statutory law within Brazil's legal system, providing the documented, accessible, and enforceable legal foundation for social development governance.

## Notable For
- **Social Development Framework:** Establishes the institutional structure for Brazil's Social Development Council
- **Geisel Administration Legislation:** Represents social policy legislation during Ernesto Geisel's presidency (1974-1979)
- **Multi-Subject Coverage:** Addresses administrative organization, health policy, competencies, and institutional connections in a single legislative instrument
- **Federal Legal Infrastructure:** Contributes to the body of Brazilian federal statutes governing social welfare
- **Public Domain Status:** As an official government edict, the law exists in the public domain under the edict of government doctrine
- **Structured Legal Documentation:** Identified through multiple authority systems including Lexml Brazil and WikiProject Brazilian Laws

## Body

### Legislative Identity and Classification

Law No. 6118 of October 9, 1974 is formally classified as a **statute**—a formal written document that creates law within the Brazilian legal system. The law carries the official title "Lei nº 6118, de 9 de outubro de 1974" and may be cited legally as "Lei nº 6118/1974." It is written in **Brazilian Portuguese**, the official language of Brazil.

As a statute, this document serves as the concrete manifestation of statutory law, functioning as both a written work and a legal rule. It follows the standard legislative process in Brazil, wherein draft laws precede the final statutory enactment through formal legislation procedures.

### Promulgation and Authority

The law was **approved by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil** and specifically promulgated by **Ernesto Geisel**, who served as President of Brazil from 1974 to 1979 during the military government period. The promulgation occurred on **October 9, 1974**, with the official publication taking place in **Brasília**, the federal capital of Brazil since 1960.

The determination method for this law was **promulgation**, indicating the formal act by which the executive authority made the law official and binding. This process reflects the presidential system of government operational in Brazil, where the President serves as both head of state and head of government.

### Subject Matter and Scope

The law digest describes the primary purpose as "DISPÕE SOBRE A CRIAÇÃO DO CONSELHO DE DESENVOLVIMENTO SOCIAL E DA OUTRAS PROVIDENCIAS" (Provides for the creation of the Social Development Council and other provisions). The legislation covers multiple interconnected subject areas:

- **Content/Composition (Composição):** Defining the structure and makeup of the council
- **Presidency of the Republic (Presidencia Da Republica):** Establishing executive branch involvement
- **Creation (Criação):** Formally establishing the Social Development Council
- **Administrative Organization (Organização Administrativa):** Structuring governmental administrative functions
- **Health (Saude):** Addressing health-related policy competencies
- **Connection/Linkage (Vinculação):** Establishing institutional relationships
- **Amendment (Alteração):** Provisions for modifications to the framework
- **Competency (Competencia):** Defining the scope of authority and responsibilities

### Jurisdiction and Application

The law **applies to the entire territory of Brazil** as federal legislation. Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (República Federativa do Brasil), is the largest country in South America with a federal republic government structure. The legislation operates within Brazil's civil law tradition and forms part of the statutory law framework that governs the nation of approximately 213 million people.

### Official Identification and Access

The law is cataloged in multiple official identification systems:

- **Lexml Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-10-09;6118
- **Official URL:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l6118.htm (hosted by the Civil Cabinet of the Presidency)
- **WikiProject:** Listed on WikiProject Brazilian Laws for structured knowledge management

The Lexml (Legislative XML) identification system provides a standardized Uniform Resource Name (URN) that enables precise referencing of Brazilian legal documents across digital systems.

### Historical and Political Context

This law was enacted during the early months of **Ernesto Geisel's presidency**, which began in March 1974. Geisel's administration (1974-1979) was characterized by a period of political transition known as "distensão" (decompression) or "abertura" (opening), which gradually moved Brazil toward democratization after years of military rule that began in 1964.

The creation of the Social Development Council through this legislation reflects the government's focus on social policy during this period, establishing institutional mechanisms to address social welfare and development concerns within Brazil's administrative framework.

### Legal Status and Copyright

As an official legal document and **edict of government**, Law No. 6118/1974 exists in the **public domain**. Under the edict of government doctrine, official legal documents—including legislative enactments, judicial opinions, and administrative rulings—are not subject to copyright protection. This ensures that Brazilian citizens have unrestricted access to the laws they must follow, reinforcing principles of open government and the rule of law.

### Relationship to Brazilian Legal System

Within Brazil's legal hierarchy, this statute operates under the **Constitution of Brazil** (currently the 1988 Constitution, though the law was originally enacted under the 1967/1969 constitutional framework). The law represents the exercise of legislative authority by the federal government and contributes to the body of **statutory law** that governs Brazilian society.

Brazil operates as a federal republic with 26 states plus one Federal District (Brasília). Federal statutes like Law No. 6118/1974 apply uniformly across all states, though implementation may involve coordination with state and municipal governments depending on the specific administrative competencies defined in the legislation.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-10-09;6118)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=6118&ano=1974&data=09/10/1974&ato=0e0cXUq5kenRVT74c)
3. LexML Brasil