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

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

The laws makes it a second-degree misdemeanor to protest in a manner that is aimed toward deliberately harassing or disturbing somebody of their house. Violators face 60 days in jail and fines of up to $500.

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

The governor mentioned the brand new regulation will prevent protests in Florida like those waged by abortion rights protesters in entrance of U.S. Supreme Court docket justices’ homes in Virginia.

“Sending unruly mobs to non-public residences, like now we have seen with the offended crowds in front of the properties of Supreme Court justices, is inappropriate,” DeSantis said in an e mail to news agencies. “This invoice will present safety to these residing in residential communities and I'm glad to sign it into regulation.”

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

The regulation is scheduled to take impact Oct. 1.