Ban on protests in entrance of houses signed by Gov. DeSantis

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Anybody who protests in front of a personal residence in Florida can face jail time and fines under a invoice Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Monday.

The laws makes it a second-degree misdemeanor to protest in a manner that's geared toward deliberately harassing or disturbing someone in their home. Violators face 60 days in jail and fines of up to $500.

Protesters can solely be arrested after ignoring law enforcement’s orders to disperse, however.

The governor said the new legislation will prevent protests in Florida like those waged by abortion rights protesters in entrance of U.S. Supreme Courtroom justices’ properties in Virginia.

“Sending unruly mobs to personal residences, like we've seen with the angry crowds in entrance of the properties of Supreme Court justices, is inappropriate,” DeSantis mentioned in an electronic mail to information businesses. “This invoice will provide safety to these living in residential communities and I'm glad to signal it into legislation.”

Some Democrats opposed the invoice, arguing it infringes on folks’s First Modification rights to free speech.

The regulation is scheduled to take impact Oct. 1.