HB1717

Chairwoman DeSimone and Members of the Committee, Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony in support of HB 1717. I am a father who has been involved in extended family court proceedings affecting my daughter. My experience has shown me how unclear or fragmented jurisdiction within the family court system can prolong conflict, delay resolution, and ultimately harm children. In my case, decisions affecting parenting time and parental rights were influenced by: • Reliance on outdated or superseded orders • Jurisdictional confusion across proceedings • Delays caused by uncertainty over which court had authority When courts lack clear jurisdictional boundaries, families are left in limbo—and children lose stability, consistency, and time they can never get back. HB 1717 is necessary because it strengthens clarity and consistency within the Circuit Court, Family Division. It helps ensure that: • Family matters are handled by the court best positioned to address them fully • Parenting orders are evaluated in their proper procedural context • Jurisdictional loopholes are not used to delay or obstruct resolution This bill does not expand authority unfairly. It clarifies it—benefiting judges, litigants, and most importantly, children. Children need courts that can act decisively, consistently, and with full understanding of the family history before them. HB 1717 helps make that possible. For these reasons, I respectfully urge the committee to vote Ought to Pass on HB 1717. Thank you for your time and service. Respectfully submitted, Dylan Goodwin Sodus NY Father

Relative to the Jurisdiction of the Circuit Court, Family Division Children and Family Law Committee January 13, 2026 Chairwoman DeSimone and Members of the Committee, Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony in support of HB 1717. I am a parent and step-parent who has been directly involved in prolonged family court proceedings affecting a child named Addelin (“Addie”). Our experience illustrates exactly why clear, consistent jurisdictional authority within the Circuit Court, Family Division is essential to protecting children and ensuring fairness. Our Experience With Jurisdictional Confusion In our case, decisions affecting Addelin’s custody, parenting time, and family relationships have been impacted by: • Unclear jurisdictional boundaries • Orders relying on outdated or superseded agreements • Proceedings that spanned multiple states and divisions As a result, critical issues were not always reviewed cohesively, and decisions affecting a child’s daily life were sometimes made without full consideration of the most current family court record. When jurisdiction is unclear or fragmented, children pay the price. Why HB 1717 Is Necessary HB 1717 strengthens the authority and clarity of the Circuit Court, Family Division, ensuring that: • The court responsible for family matters has clear jurisdiction to address them fully • Parenting orders are evaluated in their proper legal and procedural context • Families are not caught in procedural limbo while courts debate authority In high-conflict or interstate cases, ambiguity about jurisdiction can delay justice, prolong separation, and compound harm to children. Consistency Protects Children Children need stability. They need predictability. They need courts that can act decisively and consistently. HB 1717 helps prevent: • Conflicting or overlapping orders • Reliance on outdated rulings • Procedural loopholes that can be exploited to delay resolution In our experience, jurisdictional uncertainty allowed harmful dynamics to persist far longer than they should have. Judicial Efficiency and Due Process This bill also promotes: • Efficient Efficient use of court resources • Clear appellate pathways • Fair notice to parties about which court has authority HB 1717 does not expand power recklessly—it clarifies it, which benefits judges, litigants, and most importantly, children. Conclusion Our family’s experience makes one thing clear: children are harmed when jurisdiction is unclear and accountability is fragmented. HB 1717 provides needed structure, clarity, and consistency within New Hampshire’s family court system. It would help ensure that decisions affecting children are made by the court best equipped to evaluate the full family context. For these reasons, I respectfully urge the committee to vote Ought to Pass on HB 1717. Thank you for your time, your service, and your commitment to New Hampshire’s children. Respectfully submitted, Cassandra Knapp Sodus, New York Parent / Stepparent / Advocate

Position recorded without written comment.