49-2-205. Purpose. It is the intent of the legislature that the commission sit in independent judgment of complaints of alleged discrimination in Montana and that the staff operate under the direction and control of the commissioner. The staff is not independent of the commissioner. It is the intent of the legislature that the commission and the department not favor, directly or indirectly, complainants or respondents with procedural or substantive matters of discrimination in Montana. The commission and the department shall maintain the highest standards of objectivity and impartiality when judging cases asserting alleged discrimination in Montana. It is not the intent of the legislature that the department be prohibited from dismissing matters, from referring matters to other agencies following an initial inquiry and interview, or from reaching a decision in an investigation or contested case hearing.

     History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 467, L. 1997.