Press Releases

Nolan, Glick, and O'Donnell Sponsor Symposium on the Implementation of the Dignity for All Students Act

The Assembly Standing Committee on Correction held a public hearing to assess current and potential oversight of the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS). This hearing is especially pertinent in light of the events surrounding the...

O'Donnell Statement on Mayor de Blasio Backpedaling on Campaign Promise

After 20 years of fighting for a Morningside Heights Historic District, Assembly Member Daniel O'Donnell is tired of waiting. O'Donnell has tirelessly advocated for Morningside Heights to be protected by a comprehensive historic district — first as...

O’Donnell Statement Applauding Landmark Supreme Court Decision Allowing for Greater Freedom and Equality for Same-Sex Couples

Elated by today’s historic and long-awaited Supreme Court decision, which would require all U.S. States to offer same-sex marriage, Assembly Member O’Donnell said the following: I am immensely proud to be American today. The Supreme Court majority...

New York State Assembly Passes O’Donnell Bill to Ban Solitary Confinement

Today, Assembly Correction Committee Chair Daniel O’Donnell’s bill, 1346A, passed the Assembly. Today’s passage of A1346a is an important step in curbing the ills of solitary confinement when used on individuals who should not be exposed to such...

O’Donnell Statement Calling for Louisiana Travel Ban In Response to Governor Jindal’s Discriminatory Executive Order

Outraged over Governor Bobby Jindal’s executive order yesterday to enable state-sanctioned discrimination against LGBT residents of Louisiana, Assembly Member O’Donnell sent a letter calling on Governor Andrew Cuomo to ban all non-essential state-funded...

In Ireland, O’Donnell Lobbies for Marriage Equality

Today, Assembly Member O’Donnell returned from a successful trip to lobby for Marriage Equality in Ireland. While there, Assembly Member O’Donnell met with Lawyers for Yes, a group campaigning for Marriage Equality in Ireland, and with Brian Sheehan,...

O’Donnell Statement Condemning Indiana Governor for Signing Bill That Legalizes Discrimination

In response to Indiana Governor Mike Pence’s signature to the ill-named Religious Freedom Restoration Act Thursday morning, allowing anyone to use their religious beliefs to claim that they have a right to refuse to follow anti-discrimination laws,...

Correction Committee Chair O’Donnell Calls for Improved Mental Health Services in New York State Correctional System while Commending Some Aspects of Executive Budget

Today, Correction Chair Daniel O’Donnell attended the Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on Mental Hygiene to call for improved mental health services in prisons. He spoke to Office of Mental Health Commissioner Ann Marie T. Sullivan about his budgetary...

O’Donnell, Rozic Bills to Comply with Committee Against Torture’s Recommendations Pass Correction Committee

Today, Assembly Correction Committee Chair Daniel O’Donnell and Committee Member Nily Rozic’s bills to reform New York’s solitary confinement laws passed the Correction Committee, and will now advance to the Codes Committee. The bills would conform...

O'Donnell and Rozic Introduce Bills to Reform Solitary Confinement, Bring New York into Compliance with International Human Rights Standards

Assembly Correction Committee Chair Daniel O’Donnell and Committee Member Nily Rozic introduced bills this week which would conform New York’s solitary confinement laws to the new recommendations issued by the United Nations Committee against Torture...

O’Donnell Statement Applauding NY’s Ban on Hydrofracking

Today, Assembly Member O’Donnell celebrated New York’s official ban on hydraulic fracturing, a practice he has opposed for years. Assembly Member O’Donnell, a long-term member of the Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation, reacted to the...

O’Donnell and Gunther Hold Hearing to Examine the Experience of Mentally Ill Inmates

Today, Assembly Member O’Donnell and Assembly Member Aileen Gunther held a joint hearing to examine the experience of the mentally ill in New York’s correctional system. The hearing was structured to reflect the experience of a mentally ill inmate,...

O’Donnell Plans Fall Hearing on Mental Health in Prisons, Continues to Pursue Aggressive Measures to Reform NYS Correctional System

Today, continuing his efforts to reform New York State’s correctional system, Assembly Member O’Donnell announced his plan to convene an investigatory hearing this fall on mental health in state and city correctional facilities. Assembly O’Donnell...

Correction Committee Chair O’Donnell Calls for Special Prosecutor for Rikers Island

In light of recent reports of frequent and unprosecuted violence at Rikers Island, Assembly Member O’Donnell called today on Governor Cuomo to appoint Attorney General Eric Schneiderman as a special prosecutor to investigate all cases originating at...

O’Donnell Statement on the Latest Traffic Fatality on UWS

Today, Assembly Member O’Donnell mourned the tragic death of Jean Chambers, 61, who was killed by a turning car on West 95th Street and West End Avenue this morning. Today we all mourn the untimely loss of a valued member of our community. We did not...

O'Donnell Bill to Lower NYC Speed Limit on Its Way to Governor's Desk

Yesterday, Assembly Member O’Donnell shepherded a bill to lower the New York City speed limit to 25 mph, A10144, through the Assembly. Senator Jeffrey Klein’s version of the bill, S7892, passed today, so the speed limit reduction now awaits only Governor...

O’Donnell Introduces A10071 to Enable Swift Institutionalization of Released Inmates When Necessary

In response to the horrific attack on two young children in Brooklyn by a mentally ill man, Assembly Correction Committee Chair O’Donnell introduced A10071 to prevent something like this from ever happening again. The alleged perpetrator had been out...

O’Donnell Statement Celebrating Oregonians’ Right to Marry

Assembly Member O’Donnell celebrates Judge Michael McShane’s decision to strike down Oregon’s Constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, Measure 36: Congratulations, Oregon! There is nothing like winning the right to marry in your own state. When...

Correction Committee Passes O’Donnell and Rozic Legislation to Protect Vulnerable Populations from Solitary Confinement

Today, under Assembly Member O’Donnell’s leadership, the Assembly Correction Committee passed two important bills limiting solitary confinement, one sponsored by Assembly Member O’Donnell and one by Assemblywoman Nily Rozic. O’Donnell’s bill,...

O'Donnell Introduces A9268 to Ban Solitary Confinement for Adolescents

Last week, Assembly Member O’Donnell introduced A9268, which would ban solitary confinement for New York State inmates under the age of 21. The bill was referred to the Correction Committee, of which Assembly Member O’Donnell serves as Chair. Upon...