The New York state Assembly is set to hear testimony on Wednesday on the child welfare system and the mandatory reporting of child abuse or maltreatment.

Two committees, the Children and Families Committee and Foster Care Subcommittee will hear about the system's effectiveness and potential biases within the system and what reforms could be possible.

According to the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, 87% of children in the state’s foster care system in 2022 were placed in care after an investigation of child abuse or maltreatment.

The office also found that Black children were nearly four times more likely to enter foster care than white children, representing 52% of children in foster care in New York. 

The hearing will also examine potential recommendations for reform of the system, including enhanced enforcement at the state and local levels.