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

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Anyone who protests in entrance of a non-public residence in Florida can face jail time and fines below a invoice Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Monday.

The legislation makes it a second-degree misdemeanor to protest in a fashion that's aimed toward deliberately harassing or disturbing somebody in their dwelling. Violators face 60 days in jail and fines of up to $500.

Protesters can only be arrested after ignoring regulation enforcement’s orders to disperse, however.

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

“Sending unruly mobs to private residences, like we have now seen with the angry crowds in entrance 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 living in residential communities and I'm glad to sign it into regulation.”

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

The regulation is scheduled to take effect Oct. 1.