Section 42-1-218.5 - Electronic hearings(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title to the contrary, at the discretion of the department, any hearing held by the department pursuant to this title may be conducted in whole or in part, in real time, by telephone or other electronic means.(2) The general assembly recognizes that there is an increase in the number of hearings conducted by the department; that a licensee has the right to appear in person at a hearing; and that a licensee or a law enforcement officer may not be able to appear in person at a hearing. The general assembly therefore directs the department to consider the circumstances of the licensee when a licensee requests to appear in person, and grant the request whenever possible. The general assembly further directs the department to consider the circumstances of the licensee and the law enforcement officer when either may not be able to appear in person, and allow the appearance by electronic means whenever possible.L. 2001: Entire section added, p. 552, § 2, effective May 23. L. 2003: (3) and (4) repealed, p. 2620, § 2, effective June 5.