6. a. The Office of the Public Defender created by P.L.1967, c.43 (C.2A:158A-1 et seq.), together with all its functions, powers and duties is continued and transferred to and constituted as the Office of the Public Defender in, but not of, the Department of the Treasury. Notwithstanding this allocation, the office shall not be subject to the supervision or control of the Department of the Treasury or any of its officers or employees.
b. Whenever, in any law, rule, regulation, order, reorganization plan, contract, document, judicial or administrative proceeding or otherwise, reference is made to the Office of the Public Defender, the same shall mean and refer to the Office of the Public Defender in, but not of, the Department of the Treasury.