It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Chapter 42-66.2 of the General Laws entitled "Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Elderly Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

42-66.2-4.1. Catastrophic illness coverage. -- The state shall pay one hundred percent (100%) of the prescription drug costs for eligible drugs as defined in section 42-66.2-3(5) for any consumer, as defined in section 42-66.2-3(1), who is eligible to receive pharmaceutical drug coverage benefits under section 42-66.2-5(1)(i) or section 42-66.2-5(2)(i) and who has expended at least one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) in total co-payments within a state fiscal year. The initial one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) paid by the consumer shall not be reimbursed by the state. The state shall make such payments under this section only until the end of the fiscal year.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.