(1) The department shall assist in the development of basic 911 and enhanced 911 systems in the state. The department shall:

(a) prescribe and publish preliminary and final planning forms with instructions to be filed by 911 jurisdictions with the department which will describe proposed basic or enhanced 911 systems, and plans for 911 dispatcher training, in a level of detail which will identify compliance with and variations from basic or enhanced 911 service. The department will amend the planning forms at its discretion in order to ensure the filing by 911 jurisdictions of all needed information;

(b) upon request of the 911 jurisdiction, assist in planning a basic or enhanced emergency 911 telephone system. The level and amount of assistance provided shall be based upon the department's staffing and scheduling availability, based upon the department's determination;

(c) establish criteria and procedures for evaluating plans to ensure 911 telephone systems will provide basic 911 service at a minimum, and enhanced 911 service according to an approved schedule;

(d) monitor the implementation of approved plans for compliance with the plan and the use of funding. The department may schedule on-site visits of planned or implemented 911 telephone systems for the purpose of determining compliance of approved plans and the use of funding, and may prescribe information to be filed by 911 jurisdictions with the department to verify compliance with approved plans and the use of funding;

(e) report biennially to the legislature the progress made in implementing a statewide emergency telephone system in a form prescribed by the department or requested by the legislature.

(2) The department shall establish an advisory council to participate in the development and implementation of the 911 program in the state. The council shall be established pursuant to 2-15-122 , MCA. The council shall be appointed for a one year term and, at the end of one year, may be reappointed in full, replaced in full or in part or terminated at the discretion of the director of the department.