Under the new system, children will go to residential programs that bar physical discipline. They'll have a full medical exam when they enter and leave their programs and a hot line they can call in case of trouble.

The $11 million program, which counties can voluntarily join, also will offer detainees job skills training and counseling. It starts in July.

"No child will have to go through what my child went through," said Robert Anderson, whose 14-year-old son, Martin Lee Anderson, died after spending time at the Bay County boot camp.

Anderson was sent there on Jan. 5 for trespassing, a violation of parole set for helping steal his grandmother's SUV from a church parking lot.

Security videotape taken at the camp shows a half-hour encounter between Anderson and up to nine guards, who kicked and kneed him. Anderson died the next day at a hospital.

"This won't bring your son back, but I hope you know your involvement in this process has helped make a difference," Bush said.

Anderson's parents expressed their gratitude, but said the still want to see the guards involved arrested.

A first autopsy report stated that Anderson died of sickle cell trait, a benign blood condition. But a second autopsy report released in May showed Anderson died of suffocation by guards who covered his mouth while forcing ammonia capsules up his nose.

Guards have stated in reports they tried to revive Anderson with the ammonia. No arrests have been made so far and the investigation into the death is continuing, said Pam Bondi, spokeswoman for special attorney Mark Ober, who is handling the investigation into Anderson's death.

Anderson's parents also have called for the firing of Dr. Charles Siebert, the Bay County medical examiner who first ruled Anderson died from sickle cell trait.

Siebert has consistently stood by his findings. The state's medical examiners' commission is investigating complaints filed against Siebert, but no action has been taken against him, said commission chair Dr. Stephen Nelson.