39-7-103. Duties of department. The department of labor and industry shall:

(1) conduct studies about the changing employment needs and problems of women in Montana and make recommendations to the governor and the legislature;

(2) direct public attention to critical employment problems confronting women as wives, mothers, homemakers, and workers;

(3) serve as a clearinghouse for information and materials pertinent to programs and services available to assist and advise women on employment and related matters;

(4) cooperate with governmental departments and agencies primarily involved in curbing job discrimination and in the expansion of employment rights and opportunities available to the women of this state;

(5) conduct periodic conferences throughout the state to make women more aware of employment opportunities, programs, and services available to them;

(6) serve as the central, permanent agency for the coordination and evaluation of employment programs and services for women of the state and as a planning agency for the development of those services;

(7) encourage women's organizations and other groups to institute local self-help activities designed to meet women's employment and related needs;

(8) apply for and receive grants, appropriations, or gifts from any federal, state, or local agency, private foundation, or individual to carry out the purposes of this part.