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

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

The laws makes it a second-degree misdemeanor to protest in a way that's aimed toward intentionally harassing or disturbing somebody in their house. 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 said the new regulation will prevent protests in Florida like these waged by abortion rights protesters in entrance of U.S. Supreme Court justices’ properties in Virginia.

“Sending unruly mobs to personal residences, like we have seen with the indignant crowds in entrance of the houses of Supreme Courtroom justices, is inappropriate,” DeSantis said in an e-mail to news companies. “This invoice will present safety to those dwelling in residential communities and I'm glad to signal it into regulation.”

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.