(a) By passage of an ordinance, by a two-thirds (⅔) vote, a municipal legislative body may allow a service member who is deployed for thirteen (13) months or less while serving as a member of the municipal legislative body to attend sessions of the body through the use of two-way electronic audio-video communication during the deployment. Attendance by the use of two-way electronic audio-video communication does not prevent the service member from being allowed to vote or drawing pay for attendance. Only one (1) service member at a time may attend and vote in sessions of the body as provided in this subsection (a).
(b) As used in this section, “service member” means a member of the following:
(1) The active and reserve components of the army, navy, air force, marine corps, or coast guard of the United States;
(2) The United States merchant marine;
(3) The commissioned corps of the United States public health service;
(4) The commissioned corps of the national oceanic and atmospheric administration of the United States; or
(5) The national guard of this state.