(a) The court may hold a hearing under this chapter at a facility operated by or under contract with the office or may conduct the hearing with video communications technology that permits the court to see and hear the civilly committed individual and that permits the individual to see and hear the court and any other witness.
(b) A hearing conducted under this section by video communications technology shall be recorded on videotape or by other electronic means. The recording is sufficient to serve as a permanent record of the hearing.