Administrative Rules of Montana › Department 24 - LABOR AND INDUSTRY › Chapter 24.1 - ORGANIZATIONAL RULE › Subchapter 24.1.1 - N/A › Rule 24.1.101 - ORGANIZATION OF DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY

Current through Register Vol. 13, July 5, 2024
(1) History and Purpose. The Department of
				Labor and Industry was implemented under the Executive Reorganization Act of
				1971 by executive order of the Governor on December 13, 1971. The Department of
				Labor and Industry provides oversight and regulation of the Montana Workers'
				Compensation system, enforces state and federal labor standards, enforces state
				and federal safety and occupational health laws, provides adjudicative services
				in labor-management disputes, establishes and enforces building industry codes,
				licenses and regulates professions and occupations, regulates all weighing or
				measuring devices used in commercial transactions, conducts research, and
				collects employment statistics that enable strategic planning. The department
				operates as part of a national employment, unemployment insurance, and job
				training system that assists individuals in preparing for and finding work, and
				helps workers obtain benefits if they are temporarily unemployed through no
				fault of their own. The department receives and investigates complaints of
				discrimination in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations,
				education, financial and credit transactions, insurance, and government
				services. Technical assistance and education are provided to employers, housing
				providers, and individuals to clarify state and federal discrimination
				law.
(2) Organization. The
				Department of Labor and Industry is headed by the commissioner, appointed by
				the Governor as prescribed by Article XIII, section 2 of the Montana
				Constitution. The department is made up of six divisions. Five divisions are
				headed by an administrator, and the Technology Services Division is headed by
				the Chief Information Officer (CIO). Each division is divided into bureaus
				headed by a chief. There are various entities attached to the department for
				administrative purposes as provided in
				2-15-121,
				MCA.
(3) Structure. The department
				structure is as follows:
(a) Commissioner's
				Office. The commissioner is responsible for the administration of the
				department and its divisions.
(i) In addition
				to the divisions, the commissioner has certain staff that report directly to
				the commissioner and are independent of the divisions:
(A) Office of Legal Services. The Office of
				Legal Services provides legal advice and representation to the commissioner,
				the divisions, and the administratively attached entities.
(B) Office of Administrative Hearings. The
				Office of Administrative Hearings holds impartial administrative hearings and
				provides dispute resolution services in unemployment insurance cases, wage and
				hour claims, public employee collective bargaining and unfair labor practices
				cases, state employee classification appeals and grievances, uninsured employer
				regulatory matters, professional and occupational licensing appeals, and human
				rights complaints. It provides a fair, speedy, inexpensive, and simple hearings
				process for resolving disputes.