House bill NO. 348

INTRODUCED BY K. Walsh, S. Gist, G. Frazer

By Request of the ****

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT REVISING LAWS RELATED TO STATE EMPLOYEE DIRECTORY INFORMATION; REQUIRING STATE AGENCIES TO POST EMPLOYEE DIRECTORIES; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

Section 1. State agency employee directory requirement. (1) Each state agency shall post an employee directory on the agency's website. The link to the directory must be on the main landing page of the agency's website.

(2)        (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), the directory must include the name, title, and a direct phone number and e-mail address issued by the agency for each agency employee whose job responsibilities include regular interactions with the public.

(b)        Department heads may exempt from the requirements of subsection (2)(a) persons in safety-sensitive positions.

(3)        The directory page must include an organizational chart for the department so members of the public know which department or individual to contact.

(4)        The agency shall perform regular checks, at least semiannually, of the directory to ensure that the information is current and accurate. The date of the last update must be posted on the directory page.

Section 2. Codification instruction. [Section 1] is intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 2, chapter 15, part 1, and the provisions of Title 2, chapter 15, part 1, apply to [section 1].

Section 3. Effective date. [This act] is effective July 1, 2023.