(a) In civil actions. In any civil action involving the provisions of this act, the secretary of labor and the state may be represented by any qualified attorney who is an employee of the secretary of labor and designated by the secretary for this purpose, and at the secretary’s request by the attorney general; or if the action is brought in the courts of any other state by any attorney qualified to appear in the courts of that state.

(b) In criminal actions. All criminal actions for violation of any provision of this act, or of any rules or regulations issued pursuant thereto, shall be prosecuted by the attorney general of the state; or, at the secretary’s request and under the secretary’s direction, by the district attorney or county attorney of any county in which the offense was committed.