What is the status of the PATCH Act?

• A. It became law in 2019
• B. It was renamed and passed
• C. It died in 2018
• D. It never existed

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is how a bill’s fate is determined in Congress. When a bill “dies,” it means it never makes it through the full legislative process to become law—no final vote, no passage, and no signing. The PATCH Act was introduced and debated, but it did not secure enough support to pass or be brought to a final vote in that session, so it did not become law. Bills can be reintroduced in a future session or even renamed, but the version in 2018 did not advance to enactment. That’s why the correct status is that it died in 2018.