No suit, action, or other proceedings, judicial or administrative, lawfully commenced, or which could have been commenced, by or against the secretary of administration or the division of personnel of the department of administration or by or against any employee of the division of personnel of the department of administration in the official capacity of such employee or in relation to the discharge of the official duties of such employee shall abate by reason of the provisions of this act. The court may allow any such suit, action or other proceeding to be maintained by or against the secretary of administration or the successor of the division of personnel of the department of administration or any officer affected.