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

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

The laws makes it a second-degree misdemeanor to protest in a fashion that's aimed at deliberately harassing or disturbing somebody of their residence. Violators face 60 days in jail and fines of as much as $500.

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

The governor mentioned the new regulation will stop protests in Florida like these waged by abortion rights protesters in entrance of U.S. Supreme Court docket justices’ properties in Virginia.

“Sending unruly mobs to non-public residences, like we have seen with the angry crowds in front of the homes of Supreme Court justices, is inappropriate,” DeSantis said in an electronic mail to information companies. “This bill will present protection to those dwelling in residential communities and I'm glad to sign it into regulation.”

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

The legislation is scheduled to take impact Oct. 1.