In September 2006, the Pennsylvania Department of Health submitted a grant application to the federal government for funding abstinence-only-until-marriage programs. Previously, Pennsylvania was one of only three states (including California and Maine) that rejected Title V federal funding for abstinence-only-until-marriage programs, primarily because the strict federal guidelines conflict with the state's educational standards. In October, the PA Department of Health received its grant award, directing an additional $1.8 million to these dangerous programs. Pennsylvania already receives abstinence-only-until-marriage program funds through earmarks from the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (Labor-HHS) appropriations bill compliments of Senator Arlen Specter, the Community-Based Abstinence Education (CBAE) grants, and the Adolescent Family Life Act (AFLA). Pennsylvania received a total of $6,731,542 in federal funds for abstinence-only-until-marriage programs in Fiscal Year 2005. Most recently, New Jersey decided to reject Title V funding for abstinence-only-until-marriage programs and made a statement that they will not stand for the federal government imposing its extreme and restrictive policies on their state. While the federal grantees (states that receive Title V money) have had to follow restrictive federal guidelines, the newest version of the guidelines are even more rigorous. States will be even more limited in their flexibility to tailor abstinence-only-until-marriage programs to meet state and local needs. They will also be required to focus their programs on individuals ages 12-29. This new targeted age range, particularly of individuals 20 to 29, is a drastic move away from youth programming and common sense. The National Center for Health Statistics cites that over 90% of individuals between ages 20 to 29 are or have been sexually active.
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