§ 5001. Saving clause; construction. 1. Nothing contained in this act shall affect or impair any act done or right accruing, accrued or acquired, or any penalty, forfeiture or punishment incurred prior to the time when this act shall take effect, under or by virtue of the provision or provisions of the public health law, as in force immediately prior to the time this act shall take effect, but the same may be asserted, enforced, prosecuted or inflicted, as fully and to the same extent as if this act shall not have taken effect.

2. An act of the legislature of the year nineteen hundred fifty-four which adds or purports to add a new article, section, subdivision or other provision of law to the public health law, as in force immediately prior to the time this act shall take effect, shall be deemed and construed as having been added to such law, as amended by this act, and shall be given full effect according to its context as if the same had been added expressly and in terms of such law, as amended by this act, and shall be deemed and construed to have been inserted in such law, as amended by this act, in the appropriate respective position in regard to and as modifying the effect of the corresponding provision or provisions of such law, as amended by this act.

3. Reference in any act of the legislature of the year nineteen hundred fifty-four to an existing article, section, subdivision or other provision of the public health law, as in force immediately prior to the time this act shall take effect, shall be deemed and construed to refer to the corresponding article, section, subdivision or other provision of such law, as renumbered, modified or amended by this act.

4. Reference in any general, special or local law, rule, regulation or public document to any provision or provisions of the public health law, as in force immediately prior to the time this act shall take effect, shall be deemed to be and construed as a reference to the corresponding provision or provisions of such law, as renumbered, modified or amended by this act, irrespective of whether such provision or provisions is or are contained in one or more than one title, article, section, subdivision or other part thereof.

5. The provisions of this chapter in so far as they are substantially the same as the existing provisions of the public health law shall be construed as a continuation of the provisions of the former public health law and not as new enactments.

6. This chapter shall not affect pending actions or proceedings, civil or criminal, but the same may be prosecuted or defended in the same manner and with the same effect as though this chapter had not been passed.