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PHOENIX — Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano plans to reject federal money for abstinence-only sex education classes in the state's public schools.

Napolitano plans to send a letter the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services this week rejecting the money unless the government lifts restrictions that bar teaching issues outside the abstinence-only curriculum, Napolitano spokeswoman Jeanine L'Ecuyer confirmed Saturday.

"She is going to ask if that is flexible at all, and if the answer is no, she's going to reject it," L'Ecuyer said. "With the restrictions, unfortunately we're not able to give kids all the information they need. If you teach abstinence-only, you can't teach birth control and other information they need."

Napolitano, a Democrat, first revealed her intentions Friday at a luncheon in Phoenix sponsored by Planned Parenthood Arizona.

Planned Parenthood has been pushing states to stop taking federal money for the programs and Congress to cut off funding, contending abstinence-only education denies teenagers information they need to avoid pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. The groups notes that studies haven't shown the programs are effective.

Arizona becomes the 16th state to refuse the funding, said Alessandra Soler Meetze, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona.

"We are pleased that the governor has decided to stop misusing taxpayer dollars to support programs that give teens medically inaccurate and gender-biased information," Soler Meetze said.

The ACLU said Arizona has put up $780,000 this fiscal year for the programs, with the federal government adding another $1.2 million. Those numbers could not be confirmed with state officials Saturday.

The programs are supported by socially conservative groups, which argue they promote healthy, wise and safe lifestyle choices for students.

The Center for Arizona Policy, a conservative lobbying group, has pushed for abstinence-only sex ed, saying the state's programs have lowered teenage pregnancy rates, STDs and sex outside marriage.

Center for Arizona Policy president Cathi Herrod couldn't immediately be reached for comment Saturday about Napolitano's decision.