53-21-140. Use of electronic audio-video communication. (1) A respondent's right to be present at a hearing, as provided in 53-21-115(2) and 53-21-116, is satisfied by:

(a) the respondent's physical appearance before the court; or

(b) in the discretion of the court, by electronic audio-video communication.

(2) For purposes of this chapter:

(a) electronic audio-video communication must allow all participants to be observed and heard simultaneously; and

(b) a hearing that is conducted by the use of electronic audio-video communication, allowing all of the participants to be observed and heard simultaneously, is considered to be a hearing in open court.