Every person is subject to the same obligations and duties, and has the same rights as if the rights, powers and duties imposed upon and transferred to a department were exercised by the State agency, deputy or employee designated in the laws administered by departments created in conformity with this chapter. Every person is subject to the same penalties, civil or criminal, for failure to perform any obligation, or duty, or for doing a prohibited act as if the obligation or duty arose from or was prohibited by the State agency, deputy or employee, designated in the laws administered by the department.