Interesting about the JPL program and I’m amazed this prototype was only launched last year! Apparently the answer to comms laser use is “not yet but soon”.
Its certainly exiting that we'll have laser based communication in the near future. its like all ingredients for interplanetary missions are slowly coming together. all we're missing now is a very high specific impulse engine that could push the several tons for human habitation to another planet.
Actually the answer is 'right now'. The Psyche spacecraft is actively using a laser to provide data on it's way to the Psyche asteroid.