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What Does the Montana Human Rights Bureau Do?

A person only has 180 days from the date of the bad act, to file a complaint of unlawful discrimination. This time may be extended if the person participated in a grievance procedure. (MCA 49-2-501)

Montana's Discrimination Laws

These laws make it unlawful to discriminate in:

• Employment
• Housing
• Education
• Public Accommodations
• State and Local Governmental Services and Employment
• Credit
• Insurance (sex and marital status only)
• Finance

because of:

• Age
• Marital Status
• National Origin
• Physical or Mental Disability
• Race/Color
• Religion/Creed
• Sex (including pregnancy, maternity and sexual harassment)
• Familial Status (housing only)
• Political Beliefs or Ideas (governmental services and employment only)
• Retaliation for opposing unlawful discrimination or for participating in a human rights proceeding.

Issues that are NOT Within the Authority of the Bureau

• Veterans preference
• Smokers rights or Clean Indoor Air Act (except when directly related to a request for accommodation for a disability)
• Matters related to arrest, criminal convictions, or sentencing
• Matters related to divorce proceedings, child custody and child support
• Matters related to court rulings
• General unfair treatment not based upon one of the protected classes listed above
• Alleged misconduct committed by a federal government or by tribal governments

 Common Referrals