(1) The department's investigation shall be conducted in a fair and impartial manner. The department will normally utilize methods such as written information requests and telephone and personal interviews to obtain information in the course of the investigation, relying on more formal investigative tools such as subpoenas and depositions only after attempts to achieve voluntary cooperation have been unsuccessful.

(2) The department, in investigating a charge of discrimination under the Act, may request the commissioner to exercise any and all of the powers provided for in 49-2-203 , MCA.

(3) Subject to the provisions of 49-2-506 (3) , MCA, the department may exercise its investigative powers in determining if a conciliation agreement is being honored or an order of the department obeyed.