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Pasadena Boot Camp Video Sparks New State Legislation

PASADENA (CBS) — A video that showed Pasadena boot camp instructors harshly disciplining young boys has sparked new state legislation Tuesday.

State Senator Carol Liu and Assemblyman Anthony Portantino outlined a bill that would regulate for-profit boot camps.

"Anybody who saw the videos of little kids being forced to carry huge tires, to be forced to ingest water and having somebody scream at them, would be shocked and outraged by those images," said Portantino.

Under the proposed legislation, the Department of Social Services will be in charge of deciding what will or won't be allowed at these boot camps.

"Without proper oversight, kids have been subject to traumatic experiences that threaten their mental and physical health," said Liu.

Portantino added, "There are no federal regulations at this point and no state regulations for these military-style camps."

No charges were ever filed as a result of the videos, which were obtained last year by the Pasadena Star-News.

However, the man seen in them, Kelvin McFarland, was arrested and charged in an unrelated incident.

Pasadena Police Chief Phillip Sanchez said the camp has been shut down.

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