The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) policies and bylaws govern the procedural aspects of policy development, allocation of donated organs, and the collection of transplant data nationwide. The public is included in the process through solicitation of feedback via the public comment process.

OPTN committees and the OPTN board of directors develop policies, and the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), which holds the federal contract to operate the OPTN, is responsible for coordinating committee and board actions.

View Policies
View Bylaws
Submit a Public Comment

Note: Policies and bylaws must be forwarded for review and approval by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to become binding under the authority of federal regulation. Until policies and bylaws are developed and approved specifically for the OPTN, the current policies and bylaws of UNOS are being applied to the operation of the OPTN, and are voluntary.

Policy Development

Continuing scientific and technological advances in organ transplantation require ongoing allocation policy refinements. Policies evolve to ensure that patients benefit from the best possible solutions.