# Law No. 7071 of December 20, 1982

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105650097](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105650097)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-7071-of-december-20-1982

## Summary
Law No. 7071 of December 20, 1982, is a Brazilian statute that amended the functional category of nurses within the "Other Higher-Level Activities" group and established related provisions. Enacted during the presidency of João Figueiredo, it modified public administration structures to better define roles in the healthcare sector. This law remains a key component of Brazil’s labor and administrative legislation, reflecting broader efforts to organize professional classifications in the public service.

## Key Facts
- **Enactment Date:** December 20, 1982.
- **Approved By:** President João Figueiredo (military regime era).
- **Jurisdiction:** Federative Republic of Brazil.
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 7071/1982.
- **LexML Identifier:** `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1982-12-20;7071`.
- **Main Subject:** Alteration of the "Nurse" functional category and related administrative provisions.
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese.
- **Publication Location:** Brasília.
- **Associated Group:** "Other Higher-Level Activities" (Outras Atividades de Nível Superior).
- **Focus Area:** Public administration and healthcare role classifications.
- **Related Processes:** Part of broader statutory reforms in Brazil’s legislative history.

## FAQs
**What is the primary purpose of Law No. 7071/1982?**  
This law restructured the functional category of nurses within Brazil’s public service framework, clarifying their role under the "Other Higher-Level Activities" group and addressing related administrative matters.

**Who enacted the law and when?**  
The law was approved by President João Figueiredo on December 20, 1982, during Brazil’s military government period (1964–1985).

**Where does this law apply?**  
It applies nationwide across the Federative Republic of Brazil, influencing federal public administration structures.

**How is the law officially cited?**  
The formal citation is "Lei nº 7071, de 20 de dezembro de 1982," with the LexML identifier `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1982-12-20;7071`.

**What administrative group does it modify?**  
The law specifically alters the "Nurse" category within the "Other Higher-Level Activities" group, streamlining role definitions in public healthcare.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 7071/1982 is significant for its role in shaping Brazil’s public administration and healthcare workforce organization. By redefining the functional category of nurses, it contributed to a more structured approach to professional roles in the public sector, reflecting the government’s efforts to modernize administrative classifications during the 1980s. This law underscores the broader legislative trend of refining labor structures to meet evolving societal needs, particularly in critical fields like healthcare. Its enactment during the military regime also contextualizes it within Brazil’s political history, highlighting how governance decisions during that era influenced long-term institutional frameworks.

## Notable For
- **Structural Reform:** Directly amended the categorization of nurses in Brazil’s public service hierarchy.
- **Administrative Clarity:** Provided precise definitions for roles within the "Other Higher-Level Activities" group.
- **Military-Era Legislation:** Enacted during the final years of Brazil’s military dictatorship (1964–1985).
- **Healthcare Impact:** Influenced the organizational framework of public healthcare professionals.
- **Unique Identifier:** Recognizable by its LexML Brazil ID, ensuring traceability in legal databases.

## Body

### Legislative Context
Law No. 7071/1982 was promulgated on December 20, 1982, under President João Figueiredo, the last military leader of Brazil’s 1964–1985 regime. This period saw gradual political liberalization (the "Abertura") and institutional reforms aimed at stabilizing governance. The law aligns with broader efforts to systematize public administration, particularly in defining roles and responsibilities across professional categories.

### Key Provisions
- **Functional Category Amendment:** The law restructured the "Nurse" category within the "Other Higher-Level Activities" group, a classification system used to organize public service roles based on education and expertise.
- **Administrative Provisions:** It addressed organizational needs by clarifying hierarchies and competencies, ensuring alignment with federal labor policies.
- **Scope:** Applied to federal public servants, directly impacting healthcare professionals’ career frameworks and institutional placement.

### Historical Significance
Enacted during Brazil’s transition from military rule to democracy, Law No. 7071/1982 reflects the era’s focus on institutional modernization. By refining role definitions, it contributed to a more meritocratic and organized public service structure, laying groundwork for subsequent administrative reforms. The law also highlights the military government’s approach to governance, emphasizing technical adjustments over sweeping policy changes.

### Legal Framework
As a federal statute, the law derives authority from Brazil’s 1967 Constitution (amended in 1988 post-enactment). It operates within the country’s civil law tradition, where statutory laws are primary sources of legal regulation. The law’s provisions remain accessible via the Planalto Portal (`https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1980-1988/l7071.htm`), ensuring transparency and public access.

### Related Entities
- **Presidency of João Figueiredo:** The law was one of numerous statutes enacted during Figueiredo’s administration (1979–1985), which oversaw Brazil’s redemocratization process.
- **LexML Brazil:** The law’s unique LexML identifier integrates it into Brazil’s digital legal database, facilitating research and compliance.
- **Public Administration:** The statute interacts with broader labor laws and administrative regulations, such as the Estatuto dos Servidores Públicos (Public Servants’ Statute).

### Legacy and Impact
While not as widely recognized as constitutional reforms, Law No. 7071/1982 exemplifies the incremental legislative work shaping Brazil’s public sector. Its focus on role clarification supported the professionalization of nursing careers, indirectly contributing to advancements in healthcare service quality. The law remains a reference for understanding the evolution of labor classifications in Brazilian public administration, particularly in specialized fields requiring higher education credentials.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1982-12-20;7071)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=7071&ano=1982&data=20/12/1982&ato=4a1ETTU9ENrRVTf92)
3. LexML Brasil