New Jersey officials rejected $800,000 in federal abstinence-education funds, saying the new rules bar teachers from talking about contraception and require them to describe sex within marriage as “the expected standard of human activity.” New Jersey is the fourth state to reject abstinence education dollars.

“Some of the elements required are inconsistent and violate our own educational standards,” said Health Commissioner Fred M. Jacobs.

But Jacobs said new guidelines require the organizations to follow all sections, including one that teaches that monogamous in marriage is the only expected standard and that sex outside of marriage is likely to have harmful psychological and physical effects.

“Monogamy is not a bad idea, but having the government of New Jersey dictate these things for families is not something we wish to do,” Jacobs said. “It isn’t the function of state government to create standards (for sexual activity).”

Via Kaiser.