Rule 24.9.602 - MEMBERSHIP IN A PROTECTED CLASS(1) "Membership in a protected class" means belonging to a group of persons who are afforded protection against discrimination because of race, creed, color, sex (including pregnancy), physical or mental disability, age, marital status, familial status, national origin or political beliefs or ideas as set forth in the act or code.(2) The person alleging discrimination has the burden of proving that the charging party or other aggrieved person is a member of a protected class.NEW, 1996 MAR, p. 2871, Eff. 10/25/96.49-2-204, 49-3-106, MCA; IMP, 49-2-101, 49-2-303, 49-2-304, 49-2-305, 49-2-306, 49-2-307, 49-2-308, 49-2-403, 49-3-101, 49-3-103, 49-3-104, 49-3-201, 49-3-202, 49-3-203, 49-3-204, 49-3-205, 49-3-206, 49-3-207, and 49-3-208, MCA;