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

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

The legislation makes it a second-degree misdemeanor to protest in a fashion that's geared toward intentionally harassing or disturbing someone of their dwelling. Violators face 60 days in jail and fines of as much as $500.

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

The governor mentioned the new legislation will prevent protests in Florida like these waged by abortion rights protesters in front of U.S. Supreme Courtroom justices’ houses in Virginia.

“Sending unruly mobs to non-public residences, like we now have seen with the offended crowds in front of the homes of Supreme Court docket justices, is inappropriate,” DeSantis said in an e-mail to news agencies. “This invoice will present safety to those dwelling in residential communities and I am glad to signal it into law.”

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

The regulation is scheduled to take impact Oct. 1.