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 way that's geared toward deliberately harassing or disturbing someone in their home. 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, nonetheless.

The governor said the new regulation will prevent protests in Florida like these waged by abortion rights protesters in front of U.S. Supreme Court justices’ homes in Virginia.

“Sending unruly mobs to private residences, like we now have seen with the offended crowds in entrance of the properties of Supreme Courtroom justices, is inappropriate,” DeSantis said in an electronic mail to information companies. “This bill will present safety to those living in residential communities and I'm glad to sign it into regulation.”

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

The legislation is scheduled to take effect Oct. 1.