1. (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:

   1. (a) the respondent's physical appearance before the court; or
   2. (b) in the discretion of the court, by electronic audio-video communication.

2. (2) For purposes of this chapter:

   1. (a) electronic audio-video communication must allow all participants to be observed and heard simultaneously; and
   2. (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.

History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 212, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 42, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 609, L. 2025.