This bill addresses congregate care programs. This bill: - defines terms; - creates the Congregate Care Admissions Committee (committee); - authorizes and directs the committee to:set minimum safety requirements for congregate care programs;review proposed admissions criteria a program submits in connection with the program's application for or renewal of licensure;deny or accept proposed admissions criteria; - creates the position of congregate care ombudsman (ombudsman); - authorizes and directs the ombudsman to receive and investigate reported concerns regarding congregate care programs; - creates the Licensed Provider Civil Money Penalty Fund; - authorizes and directs the Division of Licensing and Background Processing (division) to regulate congregate care programs; - denies direct access qualified status for individuals who are or have been under investigation for sexual misconduct within the past three years; - establishes requirements for congregate care programs, including that the programs:adopt admissions criteria by which to determine whether an individual child is a qualified candidate for the congregate care program;maintain a list of a child's authorized contacts who may contact the child if the child is in crisis;notify the authorized contacts and the parent or guardian of a child who is in crisis;post notice within the program stating that clients and staff may report a complaint or concern regarding the congregate care program to the ombudsman;provide a dedicated telephone from which a child or staff at a program may contact the ombudsman at any time;provide disclosures to a child, the child's parent or guardian, and the child's authorized contacts; - establishes responsibility for payment to a health care facility that provides services to a child, including transportation costs; - authorizes the office to collect a fee; and - establishes whistleblower protections for individuals who report a concern to, or who facilitate or cooperate with, the ombudsman; and - makes technical changes.