17-1-132. Access to information. - Montana Statutes

     17-1-132. Access to information. (1) The budget director has the power to demand and receive from every department, officer, board, commission, or institution, at any time, any and all information requested.
     (2) The budget director may investigate and examine the costs and revenue of state government activities and may examine and obtain copies of the records, books, and files of any state agency, including confidential records.
     (3) When confidential records and information are obtained from a state agency, the budget director and staff are subject to the same penalties for unauthorized disclosure of the confidential records and information as are provided for under the laws administered by the state agency. The budget director shall develop policies to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of confidential records and information obtained from state agencies.
     (4) This section does not authorize publication or public disclosure of information if the law prohibits publication or disclosure or if the department of revenue notifies the budget director that specified records or information may contain confidential information.

     History: En. Sec. 7, Ch. 158, L. 1959; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 282, L. 1974; R.C.M. 1947, 79-1018; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 70, L. 2007.