Montana. Human Rights Commission

The Montana Human Rights Division of the Montana Dept. of Labor and Industry is the administrative arm of the Montana Human Rights Commission. The Commission was created in 1974 as part of legislation designed to "prevent discrimination in employment, public accommodations, education, and real property transactions." The five Commission members were appointed by the governor. Complaints of discrimination were made to the Department of Labor and Industry which then notified the Commission. The Commission was scheduled to meet at least four times each year to hear complaints filed and take the required action. If the Commission upheld a complaint, it could order the person accused of discriminatory conduct to refrain from such conduct. If this failed, the Department of Labor and Industry could then petition the district court to enforce the Commission's order by injunction. The Division staff conducted investigations of individual cases brought before the Commission, and did legal research into types of discrimination, current case law, and policies in other jurisdictions.