New Jersey

High schoolers

New Jersey becomes latest U.S. state to ban student phones in schools

By / / Good News For Humankind

Governor Phil Murphy has signed a “bell-to-bell” cellphone ban for all New Jersey public schools, joining a growing list of states like Florida and Indiana in restricting device use. The law, effective for the 2026-2027 school year, requires phones to be stored away throughout the entire school day to improve student focus and mental health. This comprehensive policy reflects a rising bipartisan consensus across the U.S. that removing digital distractions is essential for restoring a healthy, engaging educational environment.

Woman's face in the shadows

New Jersey passes new law to require testing of all rape kits

By / / Good News For Humankind

New Jersey has achieved a major legislative victory with a new bill mandating the expedited testing of rape kits. The law requires kits to be submitted within 10 days and tested within 90, ensuring justice is no longer delayed. This reform addresses a hidden backlog exposed by News 12, which found thousands of untested kits gathering dust due to prosecutorial inaction. The Joyful Heart Foundation, which previously rated New Jersey as one of the worst states for survivor care, now ranks it among the best following this change.

Heat pumps

Nine U.S. states, including California and New York, sign heat pump agreement to clean up air pollution

By / / Good news links

Nine U.S. states have inked an agreement to promote climate-friendly heat pump sales. The memorandum of understanding sets a 2030 target for heat pumps to make up 65% of residential heating, cooling, and water heating equipment sales. By 2040, the goal is for heat pumps to account for 90% of the HVAC and water heating market. The states on board with the agreement include: California, Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Rhode Island.

Landfill. A lot of plastic garbage. Environmental problems.

Plastic bag bans in the U.S. have already prevented billions of bags from being used

By / / Good news links

Over the past several years, U.S. cities and states have passed hundreds of policies restricting the sale and distribution of single-use plastic bags. A new report – copublished by Environment America, U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund, and Frontier Group – says these laws have largely succeeded in their goal of reducing plastic bag use. New Jersey’s ban alone has eliminated more than 5.5 billion plastic bags annually.

Car engine

New Jersey to ban sales of gas-powered cars by 2035

By / / Good news links

Under the state Department of Environmental Protection’s “Advanced Clean Cars II” rule, manufacturers must ensure that 43% of new light-duty vehicles they make in 2027 are electric, with the percentage rising annually to 100% by 2035. Most consumer cars and pickup trucks are considered light-duty.