Senate Bill 55 aims to restrict the Department of Justice (DOJ) from utilizing the legal services of nongovernmental employees in the investigation or prosecution of civil or criminal matters. The bill specifies that the DOJ may only engage the services of state or federal employees or agents, with exceptions for legal interns who earn no more than $10,000 annually from their internship employer. This measure is intended to ensure that legal assistance in these matters is provided by individuals who are officially affiliated with the state or federal government.

The bill introduces a new section, 165.252, to the statutes, which outlines these prohibitions and exceptions. It explicitly states that the DOJ cannot use the legal services of any person who is not a state or federal employee unless they follow a specific contracting process for legal services on a contingent fee basis or employ a qualifying legal intern. This legislative change reflects a shift towards limiting external legal influences in state legal proceedings.