The bill amends Section 37-1-101 of the Montana Code Annotated to grant the Department of Labor and Industry the authority to establish procedural rules for contested administrative cases. This includes the adoption of uniform rules for all boards and department programs, specifically to establish procedures for contested cases and ensure compliance with public notice requirements. The rules may allow for minimal public posting, such as only the licensee's name and the fact that a hearing is being held, prior to decisions that could lead to the suspension or revocation of a license. Additionally, the bill outlines various responsibilities of the Department, including the issuance and renewal of licenses, standardization of policies, investigation of complaints, and monitoring of board cash balances. It emphasizes the need for the Department to provide timely responses to applicants regarding their license applications and to maintain cost-effective operations for the boards under its jurisdiction. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the efficiency and transparency of the licensing process within the Department of Labor and Industry.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 37-1-101
HB0261_1(1): 37-1-101
HB0261_1(2): 37-1-101
HB0261_1(3): 37-1-101
HB0261_1(4): 37-1-101
HB0261_1(5): 37-1-101
HB0261_1(6): 37-1-101
HB0261_1: 37-1-101
HB0261_X(1): 37-1-101
HB0261_X(2): 37-1-101
HB0261_X(3): 37-1-101
HB0261_X(4): 37-1-101
HB0261_X(5): 37-1-101
HB0261_X: 37-1-101