; or (2) to permit or sanction the conduct of any sterilization procedure without the patient’s voluntary and informed consent. (c) Other individuals considered as government officials Any individual who, by operation of a provision of Federal or State law, is permitted to implement or enforce a limitation or requirement that violates section 5 shall be considered a government official for purposes of this Act. 8. Enforcement (a) Attorney General The Attorney General may commence a civil action on behalf of the United States against any State that violates, or against any government official (including an individual described in section 7(c)) that implements or enforces a limitation or requirement that violates, section 5. The court shall hold unlawful and set aside the limitation or requirement if it is in violation of this Act. (b) Private right of action (1) In general Any individual or entity, including any health care provider or patient, adversely affected by an alleged violation of this Act, may commence a civil action against any State that violates, or against any government official (including an individual described in section 7(c)) that implements or enforces a limitation or requirement that violates, section 5. The court shall hold unlawful and set aside the limitation or requirement if it is in violation of this Act. (2) Health care provider A health care provider may commence an action for relief on its own behalf, on behalf of the provider’s staff, and on behalf of the provider’s patients who are or may be adversely affected by an alleged violation of this Act. (c) Equitable relief In any action under this section, the court may award appropriate equitable relief, including temporary, preliminary, and permanent injunctive relief. (d) Costs In any action under this section, the court shall award costs of litigation, as well as reasonable attorney’s fees, to any prevailing plaintiff. A plaintiff shall not be liable to a defendant for costs or attorney’s fees in any nonfrivolous action under this