Ban on protests in front 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 beneath a invoice Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Monday.

The legislation makes it a second-degree misdemeanor to protest in a way that is aimed at deliberately harassing or disturbing somebody in 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, nevertheless.

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

“Sending unruly mobs to private residences, like we've seen with the indignant crowds in entrance of the properties of Supreme Courtroom justices, is inappropriate,” DeSantis stated in an e-mail to news companies. “This bill will provide safety to these residing in residential communities and I'm 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 effect Oct. 1.