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

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Anyone 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 legislation makes it a second-degree misdemeanor to protest in a manner that's aimed toward intentionally harassing or disturbing someone of their residence. Violators face 60 days in jail and fines of as much as $500.

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

The governor said the brand new legislation will stop protests in Florida like these waged by abortion rights protesters in entrance of U.S. Supreme Court justices’ homes in Virginia.

“Sending unruly mobs to non-public residences, like we now have seen with the offended crowds in front of the houses of Supreme Court docket justices, is inappropriate,” DeSantis stated in an email to news businesses. “This invoice will provide safety to those living in residential communities and I'm glad to sign it into law.”

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

The law is scheduled to take effect Oct. 1.