BILLINGS, Montana — Montana’s governor has expanded prohibitions against discrimination in state employment and state contracts to include pregnancy, military service and gender identity.
Gov. Steve Bullock said in statement that he was honoring the principles of equality fought for by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Jan. 18 was a federal holiday marking the civil rights leader’s birthday.
The executive order from Bullock, a Democrat, directs the Department of Administration to develop policies to enforce the prohibitions. The department is in charge of state personnel and contract procurement policies.
The order also covers genetic information and medical conditions related to childbirth.
It replaces a 2008 anti-discrimination directive from former Gov. Brian Schweitzer that was more narrowly written.
