HELENA — The Montana House of Representatives will have a simple dress code after a previous stricter code drew criticism as sexist and outdated.
Republican House leaders agreed to abandon the original, strict one-page dress code that drew widespread media coverage, critical editorials and was widely ridiculed on social media.
The original code included language such as: “Women should be sensitive to skirt lengths and necklines.”
Instead, Republican leaders went along with a simple, one-paragraph statement suggested by new House Minority Whip Jenny Eck, of Helena, and other Democratic leaders.
Lee Newspapers of Montana reports the new House dress code says simply that representatives and others on the House floor are asked to dress in professional business attire that is befitting the honor of the institution.