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Brazil Enacts Nationwide Plain-Language Law for All Public Bodies

Government regulation due within 90 days will specify responsibilities and compliance.

Overview

  • Law No. 15.263 was published on November 17 and took effect immediately across the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches at federal, state, district and municipal levels.
  • The policy requires clear drafting techniques such as short, direct sentences, common vocabulary, informative layout, and explanation of technical terms to make information easy to find, understand and use.
  • Accessibility measures identify people with disabilities as direct beneficiaries and call for versions in indigenous languages when feasible.
  • The statute forbids new gender or number flexions that conflict with established grammar, effectively barring language‑neutral forms like “todes” in official communications.
  • President Lula vetoed a clause that would have required each body to appoint a dedicated civil servant for plain-language conversion, with enforcement details to come by regulation.