§ 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.