(1) As used in this section:
(a) " Bed banking" means the designation of a nursing care facility bed as not part of the facility's operational bed capacity.
(b) " Nursing care facility" means the same as that term is defined in Section 26B-2-222.
(2) Beginning July 1, 2008, the department shall, for purposes of Medicaid reimbursement under Chapter 3, Part 1, Health Care Assistance, prohibit the banking of nursing care facility beds.