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

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Anyone who protests in front of a non-public 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 fashion that's geared toward intentionally harassing or disturbing someone in their residence. Violators face 60 days in jail and fines of up to $500.

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

The governor stated the new law will prevent protests in Florida like those waged by abortion rights protesters in entrance of U.S. Supreme Courtroom justices’ houses in Virginia.

“Sending unruly mobs to personal residences, like we have now seen with the offended crowds in entrance of the houses of Supreme Courtroom justices, is inappropriate,” DeSantis mentioned in an e mail to news agencies. “This invoice will provide protection to those dwelling in residential communities and I am glad to signal it into legislation.”

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

The regulation is scheduled to take impact Oct. 1.