Thursday marked the one-year anniversary of the controversial emergency order from Gov. Andrew Cuomo that forced nursing homes to accept COVID-positive patients.

Family members of those victims, like Mary Ann Boniello, were out demanding answers and change.

Both of her parents, William and Hilda Durr, of Buchanan, died from COVID-19 in a nursing home eight days apart last spring.

They were buried in the peak of the pandemic.

"It's heartless, our faces were covered, families not present, no one embracing or consoling us," says Boniello.

That's why she joined other families on the steps of the state Capitol Thursday calling for accountability for the people in charge when 15,000 nursing home residents died amid the pandemic.

"Governor Cuomo took my family's life and turned it around," says Boniello.

The calls for accountability in government come as the Senate passed legislation meant to improve the safety of nursing home residents.

One of the bills would repeal liability protections granted to nursing homes and hospitals treating COVID-19 patients.

"If someone was injured or died in a hospital or a nursing home you have redress in the court of law of what the standards should be," said state Sen. Shelley Mayer.

The families say Gov. Cuomo mishandled nursing homes amid the pandemic.

State Sen. Sue Serino, who represents Dutchess County, introduced a resolution to make March 25 a "We Care" remembrance day.