HELENA — New House Speaker Austin Knudsen, R-Culbertson, said Monday he is in discussions with Democratic leaders on how to modify a controversial new House dress code that has drawn widespread criticism and national media attention.

He said he has been in phone and email conversations with one of the code’s leading critics, incoming House Minority Whip Jenny Eck, and also talked to House Minority Leader Chuck Hunter, both D-Helena.

“I think this is kind of a pointless, unnecessary fight,” Knudsen said. “I should have gone to the minority party in the first place and let them have some voice. I’d like to get to get past this and move on.”

Knudsen said he is confident that leaders from both parties can reach an agreement to revise the dress code within a day or two. The 2015 Legislature convenes Jan. 5.

“I think we’ve removed or proposed to remove the language that was bothering everyone,” Knudsen said.

“I think the biggest thing is professionalism and decorum,” the incoming speaker added. “If we can tweak something and come up with an agreement that everyone is happy with and maintain professionalism and decorum on the House floor, that would be fine.”

Eck said she and other House Democratic leaders suggested this language to Knudsen by email Monday for a one-paragraph dress code to replace the stricter one-page code:

“We ask that members of the House and other professionals working on the floor dress in professional, business attire as is befitting the honor of the institution of the Montana House of Representatives.”

Last week, Eck said the controversy could have been prevented if Knudsen had talked to some female representatives, including those in the House Democratic leadership.

Knudsen, who is trying to close his law office to move to Helena for the session, said he had not had time yet on Monday to read Eck’s latest suggestion, but would do so and get back to her.

In early December, the House Republican leadership issued a one-page dress code that said representatives, staff and reporters “are required to dress in formal business attire during the session.” It had a series of specific bullet points. No formal House dress code existed previously, just an informal one.

The dress code has been widely condemned by newspaper editorials in Montana, drawn attention from national media including the New York Times and been ridiculed on social media.

Eck had criticized the dress code as sexist and outdated, with language such as: “Women should be sensitive to skirt lengths and necklines.”

“Women can be trusted to get up in the morning and dress appropriately,” she said last week. “How would it be enforced? Would the sergeant of arms be the clothes police checking our skirt lengths and cleavage?”

On Monday, Eck said she was surprised the dress code generated so much attention. She was interviewed by reporters nationally and in Montana and appeared on North Dakota radio talk shows.

“But I do think it obviously struck a chord, this conversation about gender equity in our country and more subtle forms of sexism that women may be facing in various walks of life around the country,” Eck said.

The original dress code said women must wear a suit or dress slacks, skirt, jacket and dress blouse or “suit-like dresses” and “appropriate shoes.” The code said flip flops, tennis shoes and open-toe sandals are inappropriate to wear on the House floor and added: “Leggings are not considered dress pants.”

Knudsen said he’d like to get an agreement to tone down the dress code as soon as possible and put an end to the controversy.

Although agreeable to changing the dress code, Knudsen said he opposes allowing people to wear jeans on the House floor, even on Saturday as has been the custom. Saturday sessions are usually brief, with lawmakers often driving to back to their homes when the floor sessions end.

The code also said jeans or denim material, including color denim, is forbidden on the House floor. It also banned fleece and jersey (sweatshirt) material.

Men under the code must wear suits or sports jackets and dress pants, dress shirts and ties and dress shoes or dress boots.